HC Deb 20 July 2001 vol 372 cc729-30W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated shortage of doctors and nurses at St. George's hospital, Tooting is. [5416]

Mr. Hutton

The current vacancy rates at St. George's national health service trust are shown in the table.

Department of Health vacancies survey, March 2001 medical and dental and qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancies in St. George's hospital NHS trust—three month vacancy rates1,2 and numbers3
St. George's healthcare NHS trust
Number of three month medical and dental vacancies 4—
Three month medical and dental vacancy rate (percentage) 0.0
Number of three month qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancies 160
Three month qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff vacancy rate (percentage) 10.3
1Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents)
2Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the September 2000 medical and dental and non-medical work force censuses (whole time equivalent)
3Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10
4Zero

Notes:

1. Percentages are calculated on unrounded figures

2. Percentages rounded to one decimal place

Source:

Department of Health Vacancies Survey 2001

In line with Government policy, St. George's has introduced a number of initiatives to combat nursing vacancies, including return to practice courses, overseas recruitment and open days for immediate appointment of nurses.