Written question asked by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 26 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many vacancies there were for consultants in each year since 1995 broken down (a) by specialty and (b) by health authority; and if he will make a statement; how many vacancies there were in the NHS for consultants by specialty in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures and fact that the data requested were not collected centrally before 1999.

Answer: Mr. Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many vacancies there were for consultants in each year since 1995 broken down (a) by specialty and (b) by health authority; and if he will make a statement; [148087] (2) how many vacancies there were in the NHS for consultants by specialty in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [150390] Mr. Denham: The data requested were not collected centrally before 1999. They are now published annually in the Department of Health Vacancies Survey, which has been published in the Library. The total number of consultants as at 30 September 2000 (the latest figure) was 24,310--an increase of 1,081 or 4 per cent. on the year before.

Secondary information