§ Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many medical and nursing staff have worked in occupational health in the National Health Service for the last five years for which figures are available; and what were the grades of those employees. [42460]
§ Mr. MilburnThe available information is given in the tables. The introduction of a new method of classifying staff from 1995 means that nursing staff working in occupational health can no longer be separately identified.
Hospital and community health services (HCHS) nursing staff working in occupational health in England as at 30 September each year Whole-time equivalents 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Total 630 610 590 600 640 Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest ten
Source:
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce census
NHS hospital medical staff occupational medicine staff by grade in England as at 30 September each year Whole-time equivalents Grade 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 All staff 70 70 90 100 90 Consultant 30 30 40 50 50 Staff grade 0 0 0 0 0 Associate specialist — — — 0 0 Senior registrar 10 10 10 10 10 Registrar 10 0 0 0 0 Senior house officer — — 0 0 — House officer — — — — — Hospital practitioner 0 0 0 0 0 Clinical assistant 20 20 30 30 20 Other staff 0 0 0 0 0 Notes:
Previous to 1996 occupational medicine was called occupational health
The figure for senior registrars in 1996 includes specialist registrars Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 whole-time equivalents Totals may not equal the sum of component parts due to rounding 0 = 5 or less and greater than zero
— = zero
Source:
Department of Health Medical and Dental Workforce Census.
176W
§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to ensure that the guidance, Occupational Health Services for NHS staff 94(51), is being implemented in each NHS trust. [43598]
§ Mr. MilburnOccupational Health Services for National Health Service Staff 94(51) has been superseded by the Management of Health, Safety and Welfare issues for NHS Staff 98(64). This guidance, issued on 18 May 1998 to all chief executives and human resource directors in health authorities and NHS trusts, covers all aspects of health and safety and occupational health.
The NHS Executive is currently working on a new human resources strategy for the NHS. Taking forward occupational health provision will be a priority area for action requiring demonstrable year on year progress.
§ Dr. StoateTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps are being taken to make occupational health services available to staff working in primary care. [43601]
§ Mr. MilburnThe National Health Service Executive is working with representatives of interested parties to examine ways of extending occupational health provision to staff working in primary care, in the light of changes currently taking place in primary care provision.