HC Deb 05 November 2002 vol 392 cc273-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on staffing levels at(a) Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, (b) St. Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth and (C) St. James Hospital, Portsmouth. [76506]

Ms Blears

This information is collected centrally at trust level and not by individual hospital site. Information on vacancy rates has been collected in the national health service vacancy survey since 1999. Information, taken from the surveys for 1999 to 2002, has been placed in the Library.

We recognise that the south-east has suffered problems in recruiting and retaining staff. Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the local health community continue to work to ensure that vacant posts are filled as soon as possible.