University Medical Training

HC Deb 10 May 2004 vol 421 cc192-3W

Mr. Best

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures the Government is taking to increase the number of British university trained(a) doctors and (b) nurses in the NHS. [167730]

Mr. Hutton

We have invested significantly both in the national health service and higher education. The medical school intake in England has increased by more than 2,250 since 1997, an increase of over 60 per cent., and, as a result, we have exceeded the autumn 2005 intake target two years early. We have created four new medical schools, opened four new centres of medical education, three of which are associated with established medical schools, significantly increased the capacity of most other medical schools and introduced graduate-entry four-year courses.

There has been an increase of almost 8,000 nurses and midwives entering pre-registration training between 1996–97 and 2002–03, a 53 per cent, increase. Latest figures suggest a further increase of around 1,800 nurses and midwives entering pre-registration training in 2003–04.

Responsibility for Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland universities and numbers of students in undergraduate medical and nursing pre-registration training is a matter for the devolved administrations.

Waiting times for 1stconsultant outpatient appointment for suspected breast cancer following urgent GP referral
		Seen within two weeks
	NHS Trust	Percentage	Number
1999–2000	Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust	82.6	19
1999–2000	Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust	100.0	10
2000–01	Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust	96.2	50
2000–01	Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust	100.0	53
2001–02	Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust	100.0	84
2001–02	Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust	100.0	89
2002–03	Blackburn Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust	100.0	84
2002–03	Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust	100.0	114
2003–04	East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust	100.0	209
Note:
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust was formed from the merger of Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care NHS Trust and Burnley Healthcare NHS Trust on 1 April 2003.
Source:
DH Form QMCW