House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 10 Dec 2002 (pt 29)

10 Dec 2002 : Column 284W—continued

Ambulance Staff

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the turnover rate for ambulance staff is, broken down by trust area. [85769]

Mr. Hutton: Information on ambulance staff turnover is not collected centrally.

Ambulance Staff (Vacancies)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there are for (a) paramedics and (b) ambulance staff, broken down by NHS trust area. [85784]

Mr. Hutton: Separate information for paramedic vacancies is not collected centrally. Information for all ambulance staff is shown in the table.

Between March 2001 and March 2002 the three month vacancy rate for ambulance staff fell from 1.4 per cent., to 0.5 per cent.

Department of Health Vacancies Survey, March 2002—ambulance staff vacancies in NHS trusts, by DHSC and NHS trust—three month vacancy rates, numbers and staff in post

Ambulance staff (excluding HA staff)

Three month vacancy rate (percentage) Three month vacancy number Staff in post (whole-time equivalent) Staff in post (headcount)

England (excluding HA staff) 0.5 90 16,320 16,920

Midlands and Eastern 0.9 40 4,850 5,060

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust 2.4 10 470 480

East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust 0.0 0 810 890

East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 900 910

Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 640 720

Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 11.8 30 220 220

Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Services NHS Trust 0.0 0 410 410

Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust 0.0 0 190 190

Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 260 270

Warwickshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 290 290

West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 670 670

London 0.0 0 2,310 2,330

Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust 0.0 0 20 20

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 2,280 2,300

North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 0.0 0 10 10

Parkside Health NHS Trust ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

Northern 0.3 20 4,560 4,810

Christie Hospital NHS Trust ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 230 260

Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 730 740

Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.2 0 580 620

Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 560 560

North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2.5 20 580 590

North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

North Tyneside PCT ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

South Manchester PCT ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 420 450

Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 580 590

West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 870 1,010

Southern 0.5 30 4,600 4,720

Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 320 340

Cornwall Healthcare NHS Trust ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

Dorset Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 230 230

Gloucestershire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2.9 10 210 210

Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 2.8 10 390 400

Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust 0.0 0 60 60

Kent Ambulance NHS Trust 0.8 10 610 650

Oxfordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 130 140

Royal Berkshire Ambulance NHS Trust ⁽³⁰⁾— ⁽³⁰⁾— 280 290

South Devon Health Care NHS Trust ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

Surrey and Hampshire Borders NHS Trust ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾— ⁽²⁹⁾—

Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 340 350

Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 670 680

Two Shires Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 340 340

West Country Ambulance Service NSH Trust 0.4 0 820 820

Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust 0.0 0 200 210

	Ambulance staff (excluding HA staff)
	Three month vacancy rate (percentage)	Three month vacancy number	Staff in post (whole-time equivalent)	Staff in post (headcount)
England (excluding HA staff)	0.5	90	16,320	16,920

Midlands and Eastern	0.9	40	4,850	5,060
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust	2.4	10	470	480
East Anglian Ambulance NHS Trust	0.0	0	810	890
East Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	900	910
Essex Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	640	720
Hereford and Worcester Ambulance Service NHS Trust	11.8	30	220	220
Lincolnshire Ambulance and Health Transport Services NHS Trust	0.0	0	410	410
Shropshire's Community and Mental Health Services NHS Trust	0.0	0	190	190
Staffordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	260	270
Warwickshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	290	290
West Midlands Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	670	670

London	0.0	0	2,310	2,330
Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust	0.0	0	20	20
London Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	2,280	2,300
North West London Hospitals NHS Trust	0.0	0	10	10
Parkside Health NHS Trust	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—

Northern	0.3	20	4,560	4,810
Christie Hospital NHS Trust	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
Cumbria Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	230	260
Greater Manchester Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	730	740
Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.2	0	580	620
Mersey Regional Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	560	560
North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust	2.5	20	580	590
North Manchester Healthcare NHS Trust	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
North Tyneside PCT	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
South Manchester PCT	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
South Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance and Paramedic Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	420	450
Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	580	590
West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	870	1,010

Southern	0.5	30	4,600	4,720
Avon Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	320	340
Cornwall Healthcare NHS Trust	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
Dorset Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	230	230
Gloucestershire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	2.9	10	210	210
Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	2.8	10	390	400
Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust	0.0	0	60	60
Kent Ambulance NHS Trust	0.8	10	610	650
Oxfordshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	130	140
Royal Berkshire Ambulance NHS Trust	⁽³⁰⁾—	⁽³⁰⁾—	280	290
South Devon Health Care NHS Trust	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
Surrey and Hampshire Borders NHS Trust	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—	⁽²⁹⁾—
Surrey Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	340	350
Sussex Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	670	680
Two Shires Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	340	340
West Country Ambulance Service NSH Trust	0.4	0	820	820
Wiltshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust	0.0	0	200	210

⁽²⁹⁾ Figures where sum of staff in post and vacancies is less than 10.

⁽³⁰⁾ Did not receive a return

Key notes:

1. Three month vacancy information is at 31 March 2002.

2. Three month vacancies are vacancies which trusts are actively trying to fill, which had lasted for three months or more (whole time equivalents).

3. Three month vacancy rates are three month vacancies expressed as a percentage of three month vacancies plus staff in post.

4. Three month vacancy rates are calculated using staff in post from the Vacancy Survey, March 2002.

5. Staff in post data are from the Non-Medical Workforce Census, September 2001.

6. Staff in post data exclude staff employed by health authorities, as vacancy information was only collected from trusts, PCTs and special health authorities.

7. Vacancy and staff in post numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.

8. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place.

Other notes:

9. Due to rounding, totals may not equal the sum of component parts.

10. Due to rounding, calculating the vacancy rates using the above data may not equal the actual vacancy rates.

11. Figures may not match previously published data due to a different method of rounding used on the staff in post data.

12. Only those NHS trusts employing ambulance staff are listed.

Sources:

Vacancy numbers and rates: Department of Health Vacancies Survey March 2002

Non-medical staff in post: Department of Health Non-Medical Workforce census September 2001

10 Dec 2002 : Column 285W

Broadband Connectivity

Mr. Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to provide pharmacies with broadband connectivity; and if he will make a statement. [83902]

Mr. Lammy: There are no specific plans to provide broadband connectivity to pharmacies. Hospital pharmacies will have access to the broadband networking arrangements for hospitals being put in place as part of the national health service modernisation programme. Community pharmacists are of course part of the NHS Xfamily", but apart from those participating in the electronic transfer of prescriptions pilots do not make use of the national NHS network.

The broadband networking plans set out in the Government's X21st century IT" strategy document focus on the needs of NHS trusts and general practitioner practices. As stated in the strategy document, it is anticipated that the trials will continue to grow and involve a sizeable number of GPs and pharmacists with a natural migration into rollout. This project will create greater connectivity to NHSnet for pharmacists allowing the access to the benefits that this service provides. We will review the need for broadband access to pharmacies as the strategy develops.

10 Dec 2002 : Column 286W

Child Dental Health

Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of children with tooth cavities in (a) Lancashire and (b) the north-west of England; in each of the previous five years. [85330]

Mr. Lammy: The British association for the study of community dentistry (BASCD) carries out surveys to monitor the dental caries experience of five, 21 and 14-year-old children. The survey of five-year-olds is carried out every second year and the surveys of 12 and 14-year-olds are carried out every four years.

The number of children with tooth cavities for five, 12 and 14-year-old children by health authority in Lancashire is shown in table 1 for the years 1995–96 to 2000–01 and for the north-west region in table 2. The percentages of children with dental caries are taken from the BASCD survey results and the number of children with caries are estimated by applying these percentages to estimates of the total population of these children.

10 Dec 2002 : Column 287W

Table 1: Number and percentage of children with tooth cavities in Lancashire 1995–96 to 2000–01—Lancashire health authorities

Five-years-old 12-years-old 14-years-old

Health authority area Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

1995–96

East Lancashire 3,900 55 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Morecambe Bay 1,800 49 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

North-west Lancashire 2,500 48 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

South Lancashire 1,800 45 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Total 10,000 50 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

1996–97

East Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 2,700 38 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Morecambe Bay ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 900 23 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

North-west Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 1,300 25 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

South Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 1,500 37 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Total ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 6,400 32 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

1997–98

East Lancashire 4,000 52 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Morecambe Bay 1,900 48 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

North-west Lancashire 2,800 47 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

South Lancashire 1,700 43 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Total 10,400 48 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

1998–99

East Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 3,200 45

Morecambe Bay ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 1,000 26

North-west Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 2,200 41

South Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 1,900 47

Total ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 8,300 41

1999–2000

East Lancashire 3,600 50 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Morecambe Bay 1,600 42 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

North-west Lancashire 2,700 49 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

South Lancashire 1,700 44 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Total 9,500 47 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

2000–01

East Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 2,600 35 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Morecambe Bay ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 800 20 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

North-west Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 2,100 35 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

South Lancashire ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 1,700 37 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

Total ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾— 7,200 33 ⁽³¹⁾— ⁽³¹⁾—

	Five-years-old	12-years-old	14-years-old
Health authority area	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
1995–96
East Lancashire	3,900	55	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Morecambe Bay	1,800	49	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
North-west Lancashire	2,500	48	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
South Lancashire	1,800	45	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Total	10,000	50	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—

1996–97
East Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	2,700	38	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Morecambe Bay	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	900	23	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
North-west Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	1,300	25	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
South Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	1,500	37	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Total	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	6,400	32	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—

1997–98
East Lancashire	4,000	52	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Morecambe Bay	1,900	48	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
North-west Lancashire	2,800	47	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
South Lancashire	1,700	43	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Total	10,400	48	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—

1998–99
East Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	3,200	45
Morecambe Bay	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	1,000	26
North-west Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	2,200	41
South Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	1,900	47
Total	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	8,300	41

1999–2000
East Lancashire	3,600	50	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Morecambe Bay	1,600	42	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
North-west Lancashire	2,700	49	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
South Lancashire	1,700	44	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Total	9,500	47	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—

2000–01
East Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	2,600	35	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Morecambe Bay	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	800	20	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
North-west Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	2,100	35	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
South Lancashire	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	1,700	37	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—
Total	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—	7,200	33	⁽³¹⁾—	⁽³¹⁾—

⁽³¹⁾ Data not collected by BASCD for this age group for this year.

Table 2: Number and percentage of children with tooth cavities in the north-west region 1995–96 to 2000–01—north-west region

Five-years-old 12-years-old 14-years-old

Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage

1995–96 42,300 50 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾—

1996–97 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— 27,400 32 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾—

1997–98 41,800 46 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾—

1998–99 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— 31,400 37

1999–2000 39,100 46 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾—

2000–01 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾— 28,500 31 ⁽³²⁾— ⁽³²⁾—

	Five-years-old	12-years-old	14-years-old
	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
1995–96	42,300	50	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—
1996–97	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	27,400	32	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—
1997–98	41,800	46	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—
1998–99	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	31,400	37
1999–2000	39,100	46	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—
2000–01	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—	28,500	31	⁽³²⁾—	⁽³²⁾—

⁽³²⁾ Data not collected by BASCD for this age group for this year

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