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NHS: Training

Volume 457: debated on Wednesday 7 March 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the multi-professional education and training budget she estimates has been used by strategic health authorities to offset deficits elsewhere in the NHS economy in (a) 2005-06 and (b) 2006-07; what assessment she has made of the effect this has had on training across the NHS; and if she will make a statement. (121786)

In 2005-06 it is estimated that £136 million or 3.5 per cent. of the multi professional education and training budget was not spent on education and training. In some cases this was the genuine result of slippage (usually due to late allocations, under recruitment to courses and delays to projects). In other cases strategic health authorities (SHA) have sought to generate brokerage to contribute to the overall national health service financial position. It is impossible to distinguish between these elements. Strategic health authorities delivered 1,500 less nurse and 100 allied health profession training places than planned in 2005-06.

In 2006-07, it is estimated that £340 million or 9 per cent. of the multi professional education and training budget has been used by SHA to offset deficits elsewhere in the national health service economy.