Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of additional (a) consultants, (b) nurses, (c) physiotherapists, (d) pharmacists, (e) pathologists, (f) phlebotomists, (g) radiographers, (h) porters, (i) receptionists, (j) administrators, (k) health care support workers and (l) discharge service staff who will be required to work in NHS hospitals in England in order to extend services to seven days a week.

It is for local commissioners and providers to decide how to organise their staff to deliver high quality care that meets patients’ emergency needs seven days of the week. Local providers will be supported in planning for seven day services by Health Education England through its Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs), which are responsible for the training and education of National Health Service staff, both clinical and non-clinical, within their area.

LETBs will work with local providers of services, including hospitals, to develop workforce and investment plans which will enable the services to be delivered by staff with the right skills and values.