| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Therapeutic Radiographers
Mr. Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the vacancy rate is in therapeutic radiographers in (a) the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust and (b) all NHS trusts; and what the figures were in May 1997. [58643]
Mr. Hutton: Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells National Health Service Trust had a vacancy rate of 6.9 per cent. for therapeutic radiographers as at March 2001 (latest figures available.)
The first vacancy survey was conducted in March 1999, we do not hold vacancy information for 1997.
Information on other trusts vacancies has been placed in the Library.
(17) Three month vacancies are vacancies as at 31 March 2001 which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more(whole time equivalents).
(18) Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post from the September 2000 non-medical workforce census (whole time equivalent).
(19) Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.
Notes:
1. Percentages are calculated on actual figures and are rounded to one decimal place.
2. Totals may not equal sum of component parts due to rounding.
3. Due to rounding calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.
4. Due to the way vacancy data have been collected South Devon Healthcare and Torbay PCT contains combined data.
5. Trusts where staff in post plus vacancies (wte) is less than five have been excluded.
6. Vacancies—between zero and five vacancies.
Source:
Department of Health Vacancy Survey 2001
Department of Health Non-medical workforce Census 2000
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1323W
Radiotherapy Waiting Times
Mr. Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to introduce a national standard method of calculating radiotherapy waiting times for NHS health authorities. [58642]
Mr. Hutton: The NHS Cancer Plan set out maximum waiting time targets for first cancer treatment. We have introduced national data collection on the 2001 cancer treatment targets and are currently putting in place arrangements to collect information on waits from diagnosis to first treatment for all cancer patients. This information will be collected in a standard way.
Local Improvement Finance Trust
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding is available (a) in England and (b) for North Staffordshire in support of the Local Improvement Finance Trust for the funding of GP premises; and if he will set out the timetable. [59741]
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1324W
Mr. Hutton: The national health service local improvement finance trust (NHS LIFT) initiative was announced in the NHS Plan.
The initiative aims to deliver a step change in the quality of the primary care estate. NHS LIFT's initial focus has been to encourage investment in those parts of the country, such as inner cities, where primary care services are in most need of improvement. LIFT's objective will be to contribute to the overall NHS Plan targets of refurbishing or replacing up to 3,000 premises and 500 one-stop primary care centres by December 2004.
The Department has earmarked £195 million (over the current spending review period) to support localities develop their LIFT schemes. All LIFT localities, including North Staffordshire, will receive significant levels of financial assistance.
In February 2001, the Department prioritised an initial six LIFT schemes, and in January, a further 12 schemes were identified. Applications for a third wave of LIFT
12 Jun 2002 : Column 1325W
schemes will be announced later this year. We anticipate a total of 42 LIFT schemes across the country by the end of 2004.
Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection
Dr. Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from (a) the Audit Commission, (b) the Commission for Health Improvement and (c) the National Care Standards Commission on the establishment of the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection; and what active consultations he has undertaken. [59869]
Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has received a letter from the acting chair of the Audit Commission and has also had discussions with the chief executives of the Audit Commission, the Commission for Health Improvement and National Care Standards Commission. All have accepted the case for the establishment of the new health inspectorate.
Officials in the Department are in close contact with these organisations regarding the development of detailed policy and implementation plans.
Non-medical Work Force
Mr. Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many dieticians there are per head of population in each of the national health service trust areas in England; [59593]
- (2) how many (a) radiotherapists, (b) occupational therapists, (c) arts therapists, (d) orthoptists and (e) orthotists there are per head of population in each of the national heath service trust areas in England; [59887]
(3) how many arts speech and language therapists there are per head of population in each of the national health service trust areas in England. [59594]
Mr. Hutton: Information has been provided on a health authority basis for dieticians, radiotherapists, occupational therapists, arts therapists, orthoptists, orthotists and speech language therapists.
Information provided for radiographers covers both therapeutic and diagnostic radiography.
The non-medical work force census does not collect information about orthotists.
Between 1997 and 2001 there were
- 480 more dieticians—a 21 per cent. increase
2,390 more occupational therapists—a 21 per cent. increase
930 more radiographers—an 8 per cent. increase
129 more orthoptists—a 15 per cent. increase
47 more art therapists—an 8 per cent. increase
815 more speech and language therapists—a 17 per cent. increase.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |