This edition of the Royal College of Psychiatrists manpower
census enumerates the psychiatric staffing in England, Wales,
Scotland and Northern Ireland as at September 1995.
Information is collected via the College's regional advisory
structure and is, therefore, independent of the data provided by
the Department of Health.
The returns are presented by region, by grade, and by
specialty. Valuable information is therefore provided on the
current staffing shortages in the specialty.
In addition to information on posts occupied it also
shows the number of vacant posts and those occupied by
locums.
This is the third annual census, and a changing pattern is now
emerging showing an increase in the number of consultant vacancies
but a steady, albeit gradual, increase in the number of posts. The
most recent census does show some suggestion of recruitment
difficulties in the training grades. Differences between regions
and between specialties are also emerging.
The census should prove useful to those responsible for
planning services and to personnel directors and others who have
the responsibility of recruiting to psychiatric posts.