§ Mrs. Wiseasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of National Health Service consultants in gynaecology are women; what was the percentage 10 years previously; and what steps are being taken to improve this percentage.
§ Mrs. CurrieAt 30 September 1986, 11.3 per cent. of consultants in obstetrics and gynaecology in England and Wales were women, compared with 11.7 per cent. 10 years earlier. The percentage can be expected to increase in future years as a result of the increasing proportion of women in the hospital training grades. Thus the proportion of women in the senior registrar grade (the most senior training grade) in obstetrics and gynaecology has increased from 12 per cent. to 24 per cent. in the same period. In addition, the Department has commissioned research in the factors which influence the career progress of women doctors, and will consider in the light of its findings whether any further action is needed to encourage women doctors to enter the specialty.