Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the numbers and categories of NHS staff who are being called up for military service in the Gulf; and what assessment he has made of the consequences of this call-up on the finances of the NHS, and on the quality of service and waiting lists at hospitals.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythA total of 119 NHS staff in Scotland have been called up for military service in categories as follows:
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Category Number Doctors 27 Nurses 74 Laboratory staff 4 Paramedical staff 4 Administrative/Clerical staff 4 Pharmacy staff 2 Ancillary staff 3 Ambulanceman 1 The call up will have some effect on the finances of the NHS but it is not possible to quantify at this stage.
The effect on quality of service and hospital waiting lists cannot readily be determined. The number of staff being called up is a very small percentage of the total and I would expect health boards to maintain the highest level and quality of service to patients.