To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will give guidance to health authorities on the advertising of senior posts in order to promote equal opportunities; and if he will make a statement;(2) if he will recommend health trusts to advertise all vacant senior posts in order to promote equal opportunities.
The NHS is committed to equal opportunities in employment. Individual appointments are a matter for the relevant employing authorities, who are aware that we expect that all NHS posts, including those at senior level, should normally be advertised and openly competitive.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many senior posts in the NHS between April and December 1991 were filled by means other than by open advertisement; how many (a) men and (b) women were appointed to these posts; and if he will make a statement.
This information is not held centrally.