§ Ms PrimaroloTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the number of consultant community paediatricians, clinical medical officers and senior clinical medical officers in each of the last five years.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe available information is shown in the table.
Community health service medical staff—England 30 September each year Consultant community paediatrician Senior clinical medical officer (all specialties) Clinical medical officer (all specialties) 1987 n/a 1,133 1,713 1988 n/a 1,188 1,669 1989 n/a 1,181 1,653 1990 n/a 1,151 1,620 1991 n/a 1,158 1,509 Notes:
1. n/a means not available.
2. Most clinical medical officers work in paediatrics, and provide child health surveillance. The decline in their numbers reflects the growing number of general practitioners taking on this work. We estimate that over 60 per cent. of children under five are now receiving these services from their GP.