This eighth annual census undertaken by the Royal College of
Psychiatrists relates to psychiatric staffing in England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland as at 30 September 1999. A new census
database has been introduced and additional information has been
collected. Modifications made to the methodology used in 1999 will
also allow the College to track national training numbers and
expected CCST dates, and this will provide helpful information at
the College's annual negotiations with the NHSE's Specialist
Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG).
This census indicates that there has been an overall increase
in consultant posts with growth rates varying throughout the UK.
There is also considerable regional variation. For example, the
North West and Mersey have over 20% vacant posts, compared with 17%
in Yorkshire, but less than 8% in East Anglia, Oxford, Wessex, and
all of Scotland (except the West).
There is also variation between specialties. For example,
child and adolescent psychiatry recruitment is improving in most
areas, except Scotland, and for psychiatry of learning disability
posts there is full recruitment in Wales, but the overall vacancy
rate for the specialty is 15%.
There continues to be an increase in staff grade numbers. The
steady increase in non-consultant, non-training grade posts over
the last 4 years may be one of the ways trusts are finding to meet
the skills shortfall at consultant level.
This census also includes a collection of tables of historical
data from 1995 to 1999.