§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vacant positions there were in each of the last five years for(a) hospital doctors, (b) general practitioners and (c) nurses. [21360]
§ Mr. WorthingtonThe information is not held centrally in respect of hospital doctors and nurses. The following table shows the number of general medical practitioner vacancies in each of the last five years, all of which were filled.
Vacancies 1993 59 1994 52 1995 59 1996 40 1997 49
§ Dr. HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the projected shortfall for(a) 1997–98 and (b) 1998–99 for (i) hospital doctors, (ii) general practitioners and (iii) nurses. [21361]
§ Mr. WorthingtonSufficient numbers of suitably qualified staff are available or in training to meet the projected needs of HSS Trusts and General Practice. There is therefore no expected shortfall.