§ Mr. Paul Deanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her estimate of the number of people whose appointments with consultants in the National Health Service have been cancelled or postponed since 1st January 1975.
§ Dr. OwenMy information is that the number varies considerably between different areas. I have not, however, had a full statistical return, and I cannot, therefore, give a reliable estimate of the national position.
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§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical consultants employed in the hospitals of the National Health Service have resigned in the last year for reasons other than ill-health or normal retirement.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical consultants were employed in the hospitals of the National Health Service at the latest convenient date; how many were whole-time; how many were part-time; how many were honorary and how many consultancy posts were vacant.
§ Dr. OwenAt 30th September 1974 there were in England and Wales an estimated 11,167 consultants; 4,411 whole-time, 5,676 part-time and 1,080 honorary. The number of vacancies is provisionally estimated at 600. A vacancy is defined as a post without a permanent holder at the time data are collected. Detailed analysis are not available, but some posts would be temporarily filled by locums and some newly established posts would be in process of filling. The corresponding figure for vacancies at September 1973 was 1,027.