§ 26. Mr. Simsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with current manpower levels in the National Health Service.
Mr. Kenneth ClarkWe are pleased with the progress which health authorities have made against the manpower targets set for March 1984. The latest figures for staff in post at 31 March 1984 show that they have achieved more than they were asked. Our manpower figures so far indicate that total staff in post fell over the year 1983–84 by 1.4 per cent. while early indications are that in 1983 the number of inpatients treated rose by 5 per cent. and the number of outpatients and day cases rose by 10 per cent. Such an increase in productivity enables us to improve and expand the service to patients within the resources available. We must therefore now maintain this steady improvement in the management and control of manpower.