§ Mr. Juddasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will make a statement on the shortage of anaesthetists in hospitals of the Portsmouth Group Hospital Management Committee and on the steps which he is taking to overcome this shortage, with particular reference to the needs of accident and emergency departments.
§ Mr. AlisonThere are in this group slightly fewer anaesthetist staff, in relation to population, than in England as a whole. Last July my right hon. Friend 335W approved the establishment of an extra consultant post to provide, inter alia, for the needs of the accident and emergency department, but I am informed by the regional hospital board that the post has not yet been filled. I understand that the regional hospital board has asked the group to review anaesthetic commitments, and will consider, in the light of that, whether any other additional posts are needed. Any such posts in the registrar grade or above would need my right hon. Friend's approval.