Hansard

Defence Medical Services: Manpower

Volume 506: debated on Wednesday 24 February 2010

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Sir Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answer of 21 October 2009, Official Report, column 1468W, on Defence Medical Services: manpower, when a copy of the October 2009 figures will be placed in the Library. (310002)

Mr. Kevan Jones

I apologise for the delay in responding to this question.

The latest available data are summarised in the following table:

Defence Medical Service Regulars: Manning as at 1 October 2009

Requirement

Trained strength

Shortfall (percentage)

Medical officers

818

476

42

Nurses

1,900

1,500

21

Medical support services

4,083

3,882

5

Dental officers and allied dental healthcare professionals

777

764

2

Total

7,578

6,622

13

Notes:

1. Requirement excludes the manning and training margin.

2. Trained strength only includes personnel that are qualified in their speciality.

3. ‘Medical support services’ include the paramedics cadre.

4. Dental officers and allied dental healthcare professionals includes dental practitioners, dental support officers, dental surgery assistants and dental technicians.

It has been decided that detailed data will no longer be published where this would highlight potential pinch points within the armed forces, including the Defence Medical Services. I am withholding information on pinch points as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

In order to maintain appropriate external scrutiny of such data, the Department will continue to provide comprehensive restricted manning data to the House of Commons Defence Committee.