Written question asked by Lord Clarke of Nottingham (Conservative) on Friday, 10 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 March 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 March 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Radiographers

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many posts for radiographers in the NHS are unfilled.

Answer: [holding answer 15 March 2006]: At March 2005 (the latest figures available) the vacancy rate lasting three months or more was 3.5 per cent. for diagnostic radiographers compared with 4.8 per cent. in 2004; and 6 per cent. for therapeutic radiographers compared with 8.8 per cent. in 2004. The number of vacancies was 356 and 98 respectively for diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers. This downward trend reflects the Government's successes in increasing both the national health service radiography workforce and also the numbers of students entering training to become radiographers.

Secondary information