Psychiatrists (Hansard, 24 May 2004)

§ David Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) by what percentage the number of NHS psychiatrists has changed since 1997; [175036]
(2) how many consultant psychiatrists are employed by the NHS in (a) Leicestershire and (b) England. [175037]

§ Mr. Hutton
The number of staff within the psychiatry group in England increased by 21.8 per cent. between September 1997 and September 2003. The number of consultants within the psychiatry group in England increased by 35.1 per cent. between September 1997 and December 2003.
The table shows the number of consultants within the psychiatry group, broken down by psychiatry specialties, in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority as at December 2003.
1391W

Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): Consultants within the psychiatry group in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority by organisation: as at 30 December 2003

Numbers (headcount)

of which

Psychiatry group Child and adolescent psychiatry Forensic psychiatry General psychiatry Learning disabilities Old age psychiatry Psychotherapy

England 3,305 526 216 1,804 206 442 111

Of which

Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA Q25 84 13 ¹— 40 7 19 5

Of which

Leicestershire & Rutland Healthcare NHS

Trust RT5 58 8 ¹— 29 5 14 2

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust RNS 3 3 ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹—

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust RP1 23 2 ¹— 11 2 5 3

¹ZERO

Source:

Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

§ David Taylor
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are planned to increase the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists in the NHS. [175038]

§ Ms Rosie Winterton
The Government's agenda to improve the recruitment and retention of psychiatrists is being taken forward by the National Institute for Mental Health in England national world tree programme.
The Department and the Royal College of Psychiatrists have issued a joint action plan providing recommendations to increase the recruitment and overall numbers and the retention of consultant psychiatrists in January. The recommended actions cover the whole career pathway from initial recruitment of medical graduates into psychiatry through to the timing of retirement and improving international recruitment.
The national workforce programme is currently producing an analysis of demand and supply of staff to influence the commissioning of funding for education and training by the work force development confederations by way of the national workforce numbers advisory board.
The programme is also exploring proposals to create more flexibility between specialist registrar and senior house officer posts with a view to reducing potential difficulties in filling them.

Hospital, Public Health Medicine and Community Health Services (HCHS): Consultants within the psychiatry group in England and Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority by organisation: as at 30 December 2003
Numbers (headcount)
	of which
		Psychiatry group	Child and adolescent psychiatry	Forensic psychiatry	General psychiatry	Learning disabilities	Old age psychiatry	Psychotherapy
England		3,305	526	216	1,804	206	442	111
Of which
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland SHA	Q25	84	13	¹—	40	7	19	5
Of which
Leicestershire & Rutland Healthcare NHS
Trust	RT5	58	8	¹—	29	5	14	2
Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust	RNS	3	3	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—	¹—
Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust	RP1	23	2	¹—	11	2	5	3
¹ZERO
Source:
Department of Health medical and dental workforce census