Government figures show rapid increase in NHS staff
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《英国医生杂志》
London
The NHS in England and Wales has seen a year of record growth in staff numbers, according to statistics released last week. The latest figures show that in September 2003 the NHS had recruited an extra 18 800 nurses, 5600 doctors, and 2500 allied health professionals over the previous 12 months.
The NHS chief executive, Nigel Crisp, said: "There are now 1 282 900 people in England working in the NHS. Almost exactly half of them—633 400—are fully qualified clinical staff. While 84%, 1 083 100 people, are involved directly in patient care, the remaining 16%, 199 800 people, provide the infrastructure support which keeps our hospitals, clinics, and organisations running effectively."
The health secretary, John Reid, said: "Despite the record increases in numbers of doctors and nurses this year, I know the NHS still struggles with shortages in some specialities and we all have a lot more to do. I can't create skilled medical professionals overnight, but the government is putting in place the training places needed for the future—for instance, opening four new medical schools this year."
By 2008, the government envisaged recruiting 15 000 more doctors, 35 000 more nurses, midwives and health visitors, and 30 000 more therapists and scientists, compared to 2001 figures.
Dr Paul Miller, chairman of the BMA Consultants Committee, welcomed the figures but said: "The government is currently considering shortening medical training, and it is vital that in its drive to meet consultant recruitment targets it does not sacrifice quality.
"The BMA has already written to John Reid about the plans. We have expressed our strong concern regarding his public statement that more patients could be treated more quickly if not all doctors reached the same qualifications as the present consultants. The last thing patients want is a lowering of standards for doctors' training."
Managers and senior managers have been the fastest growing group in the NHS, but overall the NHS remained less top heavy than most public organisations, the government claimed.
Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "The debate about the NHS has been clouded by assumptions that there are too many managers."(Owen Dyer)
The NHS in England and Wales has seen a year of record growth in staff numbers, according to statistics released last week. The latest figures show that in September 2003 the NHS had recruited an extra 18 800 nurses, 5600 doctors, and 2500 allied health professionals over the previous 12 months.
The NHS chief executive, Nigel Crisp, said: "There are now 1 282 900 people in England working in the NHS. Almost exactly half of them—633 400—are fully qualified clinical staff. While 84%, 1 083 100 people, are involved directly in patient care, the remaining 16%, 199 800 people, provide the infrastructure support which keeps our hospitals, clinics, and organisations running effectively."
The health secretary, John Reid, said: "Despite the record increases in numbers of doctors and nurses this year, I know the NHS still struggles with shortages in some specialities and we all have a lot more to do. I can't create skilled medical professionals overnight, but the government is putting in place the training places needed for the future—for instance, opening four new medical schools this year."
By 2008, the government envisaged recruiting 15 000 more doctors, 35 000 more nurses, midwives and health visitors, and 30 000 more therapists and scientists, compared to 2001 figures.
Dr Paul Miller, chairman of the BMA Consultants Committee, welcomed the figures but said: "The government is currently considering shortening medical training, and it is vital that in its drive to meet consultant recruitment targets it does not sacrifice quality.
"The BMA has already written to John Reid about the plans. We have expressed our strong concern regarding his public statement that more patients could be treated more quickly if not all doctors reached the same qualifications as the present consultants. The last thing patients want is a lowering of standards for doctors' training."
Managers and senior managers have been the fastest growing group in the NHS, but overall the NHS remained less top heavy than most public organisations, the government claimed.
Dr Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: "The debate about the NHS has been clouded by assumptions that there are too many managers."(Owen Dyer)