§ Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many additional medical and dental posts will be funded by the National Health Service to replace those lost through cuts in university staffing.
§ Mr. YoungerAfter consideration of detailed applications submitted by health boards in consultation with the universities, my Department has written giving approval to the funding of 33 additional posts. For 31 posts the estimated full costs will be met: the remaining two will each be 50 per cent. funded.
The posts involved are 17 medical consultants, three dental consultants and 13 medical senior registrars; and I am in no doubt that they will make an essential contribution to the maintenance of the high standard of patient care in the Scottish Health Service.