§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current notional national complement of district medical officers; how many are currently in post; and what steps he is taking to increase levels of recruitment.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyWe accepted the recommendations of the report "Public Health in England" (published December 1988) that each health authority should designate a director of public health (formerly district medical officers). Regional health authorities are to submit manpower plans to meet the report's recommendations by December 1989.
As at 30 September 1988 there were 136 district medical officers in post and 18 vacancies.
We have funded 40 additional training posts to aid future recruitment to the specialty.