§ Mr. Bellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many general practitioners are employed in the regional medical offices of his Department;
(2) what are the total numbers, excluding general practitioners, employed in the regional medical offices of his Department;
(3) what provisions his Department has for reductions in manpower in the regional medical offices of his Department, including any provision for the reduction in the number of regional medical officers who are general practitioners.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOn 1 December 1983 there were six senior medical officers and 40 medical officers in our Department's regional medical service, based in divisional medical offices throughout England and Wales; there was a vacancy for one medical officer. These officers are full-time members of the medical civil service all of whom have joined the Department from general medical practice. In addition part time referees are engaged as the need arises on a sessional basis. All of these referees are experienced general medical practitioners, but I regret that the number of these still engaged in general practice is not available.
The staffing of the regional medical service is kept under review, but there are no immediate plans to reduce the present complement.