HC Deb 11 December 1987 vol 124 c317W
Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the districts in each health and social services board in Northern Ireland; how many district dental officers are employed by each of these boards; if the duties of district dental officers are similar in each board area; whether any of the boards plan to increase the number of such officers; how the numbers have changed in the last three years; and what were or are the reasons for any such changes or proposed changes.

Mr. Needham

There are no districts and no district dental officers in the health and social services boards in Northern Ireland.

Senior Dental Surgery Assistants 1984–87 at 30 September by Health and Social Services Board
1985 1986 1987
H&SS Board 1984 Number Change since 1985 Number Change since 1985 Number Change since 1986
Eastern 14 14 15 1 16 1
Northern 1 1 1 1
Southern 3 3 3 3
Western 2 3 1 3 3

Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many senior dental surgery assistants there are employed by each health and social services board in Northern Ireland; whether their duties are similar in each board area; what increases there have been in the number of such officers in the last three years; whether any of them has any plans to increase the numbers of such officers; and what are the principal reasons for such changes or proposed changes.

Mr. Needham

There is one chief administrative dental officer employed by each health and social services board and their duties are similar. There are no plans to increase the number and there have been no increases in the last three years.

Western Health and Social Services Board Staffing 1984-1987 at 30 September
Employment Category 1984 1985 Change since 1985 1986 Change since 1985 1987 Change since 1986
Administrative and Clerical 767 808 +41 810 +2 836 +26
Works and Maintenance 170 158 -12 164 +6 167 +3
Ancillary and General 4,299 4,203 -96 3,966 -237 4,010 +44
Nursing and Midwifery 3,010 3,043 +33 3,000 -43 3,041 +41
Social Services 414 416 +2 418 +2 440 +22
Professional and Technical 446 449 +3 426 -23 392 -34
Medical and Dental 277 278 +1 284 +6 291 +7
Ambulance 101 113 +12 115 +2 113 -2
Total 9,484 9,468 -16 9,183 -285 9,290 +107