HC Deb 15 July 1996 vol 281 cc389-91W
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of suspensions of NHS clinical staff from(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the west midlands the NHS executive has had referred to it for each of the last five years. [36572]

Mr. Malone

Decisions on employment matters, including suspensions, rest with the employing authority. National health service employers have reported cases of suspension of hospital and community medical and hospital dental staff lasting more than six months since 31 March 1995. Information is, therefore, only available on those cases over six months and from that date. The total number or reported cases from March 1995 to 30 June 1996 in England and the West Midlands is nine and one respectively.

Questions relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many NHS patients in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the west midlands have been treated by alternative consultants as a results of NHS clinical suspensions for each of the last five years; [36573]

(2) what was the total cost of investigating and processing suspensions of NHS staff to the NHS (a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the west midlands over each of the last five years; [36574]

(3) how many suspensions of NHS clinical staff concerned matters of (a) personal and (b) clinical conduct in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) the west midlands in the last five years; [36575]

(4) how many suspensions of NHS clinical staff have been followed by reinstatement in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) the west midlands for each of the last five years; [36576]

(5) how many NHS clinical staff suspensions there have been (a) nationally and (b) in the west midlands in each of the last five years; [36587]

(6) how many NHS clinical staff suspensions have been processed within (a) three and (b) six months from the first date of suspension in each of the last five years (i) nationally and (ii) in the west midlands. [36588]

Mr. Malone

This information is not available centrally. Decisions on employment matters, including possible suspensions, rest with the employing authority.

Questions relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Mr. Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS clinical staff suspensions have not been processed within(a) six months, (b) a year and (c) two years from first date of suspension in each of the last five years (i) nationally and (ii) in the west midlands. [36589]

Mr. Malone

Decisions on employment matters, including suspensions, rest with the employing authority. National health service employers have reported cases of suspension of hospital and community medical and hospital dental staff lasting more than six months since 31 March 1995. Information is, therefore, available only on those cases of suspension over six months and from that date.

Nationally there were nine reported cases during the period 31 March 1995 to 30 June 1996 of which one was from the west midlands. Seven of these cases have now been resolved and two are still outstanding. Of those resolved nationally, two were cleared within six months to one year and three within one to two years. Two cases lasted over two years, of which one was in the west midlands. One of the two unresolved cases has lasted over two years and the other between one and two years.

Questions relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are matters for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Wales and for Scotland and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.