§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of health visitors at Grade G due to retire in the next(a) five and (b) 10 years; and what efforts his Department has made to maintain or improve numbers of health visitors. [136294]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation on the number of health visitors at Grade G due to retire in the next five and 10 years is not available.
The total number of qualified health visitors broken down by gender in age bands 50–54 and 55 or over are shown in the table.
NHS health visitors, by gender in the specified age bands in England as at 30 September each year headcount 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total health visitors 12,800 12,827 13,053 12,774 Of which: All staff aged 50–54 2,355 2,361 2,271 2,163 Male 21 32 29 20 Female 2,334 2,329 2,242 2,143 All staff aged 55 or over 1,717 1,725 1,910 2,054 Male 14 13 11 10 Female 1,703 1,712 1,899 2,044 Note:
Figures consist of NHS health visitors employed by health authorities, primary care trusts and NHS trusts in England.
Source:
Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce Census
338WThe Government is implementing a range of measures to recruit and retain more healthcare professionals, including health visitors. These include improving pay and conditions, encouraging the National Health Service to become a better, more flexible and diverse employer, increasing training, investing in childcare and continuing professional development, attracting back returners and running national recruitment campaigns.