§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many(a) clerical and administrative staff and (b) nurses and doctors are employed in each of the hospital trusts in Wales; how many clerical and administrative staff are employed in the NHS; and how many were employed in 1990.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesInformation relating to administrative and clerical and nursing and midwifery staff in each NHS trust at 30 September 1993 is given in the table.
The latest information on medical staff in the hospital and community service relates to 30 September 1992. At that time, there were 2,805 medical staff in the NHS in Wales—whole-time equivalents, including eight hospital practitioners and 146 clinical assistants. The equivalent figure for 1990 was 2,634—including 12 hospital practitioners and 138 clinical assistants. In 1992, there was only one NHS trust in Wales—Pembrokeshire—which employed 87 medical staff—including five clinical assistants.
301W
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultations he has had with the chairmen of the Welsh health authorities and trusts in relation to the signing of contracts between purchasers and providers within this financial year; what guidelines he has issued or will issue in relation to recommended final dates for publishing draft prices for 1994–95; what expectations of advancement he has of the time of signing contracts between purchasers and providers between 1993–94 performance and 1994–95; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesSigning contracts is a matter for health authorities and provider units, although early agreement and signature are encouraged.
Following discussions with the NHS in Wales, a timetable for planning services and completing the contracting process was issued in August this year. Health authorities and provider units will be expected to sign contracts in accordance with this published schedule.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to issue his final allocation letter to the health authorities in Wales for the current financial year.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe initial revenue and capital allocations to health authorities for 1993–94 were announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 4 March,Official Report, columns 252-58, and this was followed by detailed allocations from the director of the national health service in Wales on 10 March.
Allocations are always subject to adjustment throughout the financial year as funding is released for centrally sponsored developments.
The latest allocation adjustments were notified to health authorities on 15 November. Further adjustments will be issued during the remainder of the year as provision held in reserve for centrally funded service developments is claimed by authorities.