§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the establishment requirement for nurses in the Defence Medical Services in the specialties of(a) accident and emergency, (b) diabetes, (c) intensive/ coronary care, (d) orthopaedic surgeons, (e) burns and plastics, (f) general nursing duties, (g) infection control, (h) ophthalmic surgeons, (i) midwifery, (j) neurology, (k) dental, (l) operating theatre, (m) paediatrics, (n) psychiatry, (o) otorhinolaryngology, (p) renal/urology, (q) special baby care, (r) stoma care, (s) tutors/instructors, (t) health care assistants and (u) other, indicating in each case the (i) current manning levels and (ii) percentage shortfall; and if he will make a statement. [146155]
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§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 24 January 2001]: The operational and retained task requirement for nurses in the Defence Medical Services and the trained strength as at 1 October 2000 is as shown by speciality. Recruitment into training is highly satisfactory. However, recruitment of trained nurses remains difficult. We are currently working on measures to improve the recruitment and retention of serving nurses.
Speciality Operational and retained task requirement Trained manning Shortfall (Percentage) Accident and Emergency 114 44 61 Diabetes 0 1 — Intensive/Coronary Care 204 75 63 Orthopaedic 46 22 52 Burns and Plastics 40 13 68 General Nursing Duties 1,122 573 49 Infection control 7 5 29 Ophthalmic 15 1 93 Midwifery 18 45 — Neurology 10 4 60 Operating Theatre 77 64 17 Paediatrics 11 16 — Registered Mental Nurse 125 78 38 Otorhinolaryngology 0 0 — Renal/Urology 30 4 87 Special Baby Care 0 3 — Stoma Care 0 2 — Tutors/Instructors 34 32 6 Health Care Assistants 136 143 — Dental Surgery Assistants 412 408 1 Other (Staff and Cmd Posts, Gynaecology, Oncology) 41 25 39