§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he has any plans to reduce the manning levels of (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) professions supplementary to medicine;
(2) whether he issues guidelines on manning levels for doctors, nurses and professions supplementary to medicine, related to head of population and other factors such as age and sex of population; and, if so, what are the recommended levels.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeManning levels are matters for decision by health authorities in the light of their assessment of all local circumstances. The Government do not issue mandatory guidlines on manning levels. I am concerned that increases in staff numbers should be clearly related to developments in the services provided. To this end each regional health authority has been required to propose targets for manpower by main staff group as at 31 March 1984, based on service plans and reflecting the financial resources available.