§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many training places are or were available to those wishing to qualify as environmental health officers in each of the last five years; and how many there will be for each of the next three years.
§ Mr. MellorDecisions on the training of environmental health officers are matters for local authorities, and we do not normally collect information centrally on the number of training places available. The table shows the number of student EHOs entering training in each of the last four years, according to information supplied by the Institution of Environmental Health Officers.
Total intakes 1985 1986 1987 1988 3 year diploma course 65 63 71 74 4 year degree course 142 152 184 185
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the current shortage of environmental health officers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the right hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) on 27 February at columns64–65.
Expenditure on hospital and community health services (HCHS) 1987–88 Cash (£ thousand) As a proportion of total current expenditure (per cent.) As a proportion of total expenditure (current and capital) (per cent.) Expenditure on headquarters administration 492,776 4.37 4.01 Expenditure on general management and administrative offices etc. at operational levels 443,226 3.93 3.61 Source: 1987–88 annual accounts of regional and district health authorities in England and those of the special health authorities for the London postgraduate teaching hospitals.
Notes:
1. "HCHS" includes hospital, community health, patient transport (ie ambulance), blood transfusion and other services.
2. Expenditure on headquarters administration includes all current expenditure on the pay and pay related costs of staff of all disciplines (including general managers) employed at regional and district headquarters levels and their office costs and overheads.
3. Expenditure on general management and administrative offices etc. at operational levels includes all current expenditure on the pay and pay related costs of staff engaged on providing administrative services at hospital sites and units together with expenditure on printing, stationery and office sundries which cannot be specifically identified to other departments.
4. The cost of medical records departments (£135 million in 1987–88) is excluded.