§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many consultant rheumatologists there are in Gwent; what is the size of the population served; what is the ratio recommended by the Royal College of Physicians; and what action he intends to take to remedy the situation in Gwent.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThere is currently one whole-time equivalent consultant rheumatologist employed by Gwent district health authority, although patients with rheumatic conditions are also treated by consultants in other specialties.
Precise estimates of the population served are not available. The population of the area covered by the Gwent district health authority is 441,800. The majority of Gwent and some residents of other districts requiring rheumatological treatment are treated within Gwent. Likewise, some Gwent residents are treated in other health authorities.
I understand that the Royal College of Physicians/regional advisers' guidelines refer to a recommended ratio of one whole-time equivalent consultant rheumatologist per 150,000 population.
The level of staff and resources for rheumatology services in Gwent is an operational matter for the Gwent health authority to determine.