§ 31. Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress he is making in recruiting medical and nursing staff into the defence medical services. [1213]
§ Dr. MoonieRecruitment into training is generally satisfactory. We have increased the targets for medical cadets and trainee nurses and I am happy to say we have attracted a good response. Recruiting fully or partially trained personnel, particularly doctors and nurses, is more difficult. A new initiative has commenced with the aim of improving recruitment of fully trained personnel and will continue over the next year. We are, of course, continuing to work closely with the NHS on the issue of recruitment, as well as on many other matters.