HC Deb 13 July 1999 vol 335 cc151-2W
Miss Kirkbride

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many whole-time equivalent consultants there were in each of the last five years in(a) the National Health Service as a whole, (b) psychiatry, (c) obstetrics and gynaecology, (d) paediatrics, (e) geriatrics and (f) oncology; [91041]

(2) how many new whole-time equivalent consultant posts were created in each of the last five years in (a) the National Health Service as a whole, (b) psychiatry, (c) obstetrics and gynaecology, (d) paediatrics, (e) geriatrics and (f) oncology. [91040]

Mr. Denham

Information on the numbers of whole-time equivalent consultants in each of the last five years in psychiatry, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, geriatrics and oncology is shown in the table. Information about numbers of posts is not available centrally.

Numbers of whole-time equivalent hospital medical consultants for specified specialties in England at 30 September each year 1994–98
Specialties 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
Total Consultants
England 15,640 16,930 17,610 18,620 19,380
Psychiatry Group 1,880 2,040 2,080 2,210 2,360
Obstetrics and Gynaecology 820 880 910 960 970
Geriatric medicine 600 640 620 650 690
Paediatrics 920 1,010 1,060 1,130 1,190
Oncology 280 310 300 330 360

Notes:

1. Figures round to the nearest ten;

2. Psychiatry group includes: child and adolescent; forensic; learning disabilities; old age and psychotherapy;

3. Paediatrics includes: paediatrics neurology/cardiology

Source:

Department of Health HCHS medical and dental workforce census

Miss Kirkbride

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what, in each of the last five years, was the whole-time equivalent number of unfilled vacancies for consultant posts in(a) the National Health Service as a whole, (b) psychiatry, (c) obstetrics and gynaecology, (d) paediatrics, (e) geriatrics and (f) oncology. [91039]

Mr. Denham

In January 1999, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, during his appearance at the House of Commons Health Committee, indicated that the Department would conduct a survey of staff shortages by the end of 1998–99. The results of this survey will be published in due course.

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