§ 2.59 p.m.
§ Baroness Masham of IltonMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware that there is a serious shortage of ear, nose and throat consultants in the north of England resulting in vacant posts and long waiting lists.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, we are aware that some of the regional health authorities in the north of England have had difficulties in filling consultant posts in the speciality of ear, nose and throat. Senior staff in these regions—and it is their responsibility—are considering what can be done to resolve these problems.
§ Baroness Masham of IltonMy Lords, I thank my noble kinsman for that Answer. Is he aware that I would not be asking this Question if the regions and districts were not having severe problems? Will he try to influence his department in having a national training programme for the specialty of ENT across the country? Will he look into the question of whether there are enough senior registrars in ENT?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, we are aware that training posts at senior registrar level are rather unevenly distributed. However, looking at the provision of posts in relation to population neither Northern nor Yorkshire regions are significantly different from the national average. It is possible, but it is by no means certain, that a more even distribution in training posts would improve the recruitment position in these two areas.
§ Lord EnnalsMy Lords, will the Minister pursue the noble Baroness's plea that the Department itself, and not only the regions, should look very carefully at this shortage of ENT consultants, whether through absence of applicants or through shortage of funds? Is he aware that this covers quite a number of areas in the north of England including, I understand, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Grimsby, Hull and Darlington, and it is for them a serious problem? Bearing in mind that the Northern region is a RAWP benefiting region, would the department look carefully at the capital and revenue programme to see whether assistance cannot be given?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Ennals, knows better than I do how sympathetic the department is to any request that can be made for additional staff. As he knows, we would have to consult with the central Manpower Committee on 759 how this might affect the overall national balance between training and consultant posts in the specialty. But if a health authority did come to us we would of course look at their problem.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, may I ask the noble Minister whether there is a regional imbalance in the supply of consultants in this particular category between the regions in the North and the regions in the South? Can he also tell the House whether there are any regions in the South of England where there has been a surplus of consultants in this category that has resulted in redundancies?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, there are variancies throughout the country and there are problems in the South as well as in the North. It is very difficult, when one looks at this on an average basis, to say which is doing better than others because so many intricate problems are involved. But the South does have its problems; and there are areas in the North that are well supplied.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, very briefly, may I ask the noble Minister if he might care to write to me after investigation to see if there have been any redundancies among this category of consultant in some of the southern regions? I have been told that there have been but I have not definite proof. But it seems a serious case of imbalance if that is the case.
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I will, of course, write to the noble Lord once I have investigated that particular point.
§ Baroness Masham of IltonMy Lords, may I ask one more question? Does my noble kinsman think that closer links with the universities might encourage these consultants to work in the North?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, if it would help, I am sure it would be welcomed, but I do not think that specifically on its own it would be of particular benefit.