§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that health boards implement circular 1988 (GEN) 38 on hospital medical staffing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythSpecific mechanisms will be introduced to ensure the implementation by health boards of the Government's medical manpower policies. These will include the establishment of health board plan for action groups, specifically charged with the task of advising boards on the complex issues arising from the movement towards achieving a balance in hospital medical staffing; the setting of targets on a continuous three year rolling programme for career registrar posts; and by annual monitoring of the number of doctors at all grades in the hospital service. A reconstituted advisory committee on medical establishments, with a wider membership drawn from major specialty groups and including a health board general manager will advise the Scottish Home and Health Department on the implementation of policy objectives.