HC Deb 29 January 2004 vol 417 cc455-6W
Lady Hermon

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many general practitioner vacancies there were in Northern Ireland in each year since 1997; and what steps he is taking to reduce such figures. [151322]

Angela Smith

There is generally no problem filling practice vacancies in Northern Ireland. The Central Services Agency (CSA) only hold information on GP vacancies where they were required to intervene to fill the vacancy. This typically occurs if the vacancy has arisen in what was previously a single-handed GP Practice. Otherwise the remaining GPs within the practice, as independent contractors, advertise and fill the position independently.

The number of vacancies notified to, and filled by, CSA are shown in the table.

GP vacancies notified to Central Services Agency: 1997–2003
Year Vacancies reported to Central Services Agency Vacancies filled by Central Services Agency
1997 3 3
1998 1 1
1999 0 0
2000 0 0
2001 1 1
2002 1 1
2003 3 3

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