§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the current role of the Workforce Development Confederation of the NHS is in providing training and support for biomedical sciences for the NHS. [161029]
§ Mr. HuttonWorkforce development confederations are responsible for developing the existing and future workforce of the National Health Service, including those working in biomedical sciences. This includes assessment of the right number of staff and strategies to ensure that they are in place, including support for training and recruitment and retention initiatives.
The Higher Education Funding Council for England funds the majority of undergraduates in biomedical sciences. The NHS multi-professional education and training budget funds the year in service leading to state registration.
Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS) Staff1 and General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers)2 and all NHS qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff, including Practice Nurses employed by Unrestricted Principals and Equivalents (UPEs)3, per 100,000 of Population England numbers (headcount) 1997 19984 19994 2000 2001 2002 Population 48,635,908 48,789,240 48,986,999 49,166,627 49,389,736 49,561,751 All Doctors1 (excluding retainers) 89,619 91,837 93,981 93,319 99,169 103,350 Per 100,000 population 184.3 188.2 191.8 195.9 200.8 208.5 of which: HCHS Staff1 60,230 62,140 63,994 66,067 68,484 72,168 Per 100,000 population 123.8 127.4 130.6 134.4 138.7 145.6 General Medical Practitioners (excluding retainers) 29,389 29,697 29,987 30,252 30,685 31,182 Per 100,000 population 60 61 61 62 62 63 Nurses 318,856 323,457 329,637 335,952 350,381 367,520 per 100,000 population 655.6 663.0 672.9 683.3 709.4 741.5 1Excludes Hospital Medical Practitioners and Hospital Medical Clinical Assistant, most of whom are GPs working part-time in hospitals 2All Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers) includes UPEs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA) and PMS other. 3UPEs include QMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs 4Practice nurse headcount figures are estimated for 1998 and 1999. Practice nurse figures are as at 1 October for 1997–99.
All data as at 30 September each year except GP and Practice nurses as at 1 October 1997–99
Source:
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census Department of Health General and Personal Medical Services Statistics
Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census 2001 ONS Population Census