Doctors (Suspensions) (Hansard, 11 July 2002)

§ Dr. Evan Harris
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 25 June 2002,Official Report, column 846W, on doctors (suspensions), whether the definition of suspension includes absence on special leave, gardening leave and other paid absence; what the total costs to the NHS are of the suspensions for (a) the latest quarter for which figures are available and (b) the equivalent quarter for each of the previous six years; and if he will make a statement on the other information that is available from the Department's data collection exercise. [68657]

§ Mr. Hutton
For the purposes of the central quarterly data collection exercise into the long-term suspension of hospital medical and community dental staff, the definition of suspension does not include special leave, gardening leave or any other paid absence.
Based on national health service trust returns to the Department, the total cumulative costs of current suspensions lasting over six months for the first quarter of 2002 (1 January to 31 March) is £5,095,742.
1210W
Figures for the first quarter for the last three years is as follows:

1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000: £3,956,225

1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001: £4,245,789

1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002: £5,095,742.

Comparable and reliable data for the previous four years are not available.
The Department collects details which identify the individual doctor concerned in order to validate information relating to the suspension. This is not published in order to protect the confidentiality of the individual.

§ Dr. Evan Harris
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many doctors were suspended for(a) less and (b) more than six months (i) at the latest date for which figures are available and (ii) for the equivalent quarter for each of the last six years. [68656]

§ Mr. Hutton
National health service trusts routinely report suspensions lasting six months or longer to the Department. Figures are not available for suspensions lasting less than six months.
As at quarter ended 31 March 2002 (the latest date for which figures are available) there were 29 doctors suspended for more than six months.
The figures for the last three years is as follows:

1 January 2000 to 31 March 2000: 32

1 January 2001 to 31 March 2001: 31

1 January 2002 to 31 March 2002: 29.

Comparable and reliable data for the previous four years is not available.