HC Deb 30 June 1975 vol 894 cc281-3W
Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the cost, on average, of training a doctor.

Dr. Owen

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply my center hon. Friend gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield, North (Mr. Davies) on 10th June. —[Vol. 893 c. 224–6.]

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of doctors in British hospitals who are not British born have qualifications from British medical schools.

Dr. Owen

In 1971, the last year for which this information is available, 27 per cent, of hospital doctors in British hospitals who were born outside Great Britain and Ireland had a British first registrable qualification. Some other overseas doctors, who obtained a first registrable qualification abroad, may also subsequently have obtained a British qualification.

Dr. Hampson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many doctors there are currently in hospitals in the United Kingdom, compared with the numbers in each of the last five years;

(2) what proportion of hospital posts is filled by doctors who were born outside the United Kingdom; what proportion of junior posts is filled by such doctors; what were the comparative figures for the last five years; and what are the regional variations.

Dr. Owen

Information in respect of the United Kingdom is not readily available and the figures below refer to doctors in hospitals in England and Wales at 30th September of each year.

All places of birth Born outside Great Britain or Ireland (percentages)
Year (numbers) All staff Junior doctors
1970 24,775 32.2 48.0
1971 25,669 32.7 46.8
1972 26,908 33.5 47.7
1973 28,135 34.6 49.0
1974 29,018 34.9 49.2

The most recent information available on regional variations relates to 30th September 1973. Figures below are percentages.

Doctors horn outside Great Britain or Ireland
Region All staff Junior doctors
Northern 41.0 60.3
Yorkshire 37.8 56.2
Trent 37.8 55.5
East Anglia 32.6 54.3
North West Thames 39.3 55.8
North East Thames 48.1 70.6
South East Thames 41.9 64.7
South West Thames 35.2 51.2
Oxford 29.2 41.5
Wessex 24.1 33.5
South Western 19.9 29.3
West Midlands 37.3 56.0
North Western 40.7 58.6
Mersey 30.3 46.5
London Teaching 19.9 25.0
Wales 31.0 47.1
Total 34.6 49.0

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