§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the approved establishment of specialist eye consultants in the West Midlands and Birmingham; how many are in post; and if he has plans to increase the numbers.
§ Mr. Moyle:The establishment—in whole-time equivalents—of consultant ophthalmologists in the West Midlands regional health authority and the Birmingham area health authority—teaching 700W —at 30th September 1977 was 22 and 5.7 respectively. The number of consultants in post—in whole-time equivalents—was 20..4 and 5.7 respectively. It is for the regional health authority to submit bids for additional consultant posts in this specialty. My Department's policy is to approve all consultant bids except for specialties for which there is a shortage of doctors in training. Ophthalmology is not a shortage specialty.