Breast Cancer Radiologists

HC Deb 30 July 1998 vol 317 c508W

Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to secure the provision of additional breast cancer radiologists. [52870]

Mr. Milburn

The Specialty Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG) advises the National Health Service Executive and the Welsh Office on the number of higher specialist trainees needed to ensure an adequate supply of properly trained doctors in each specialty. It carries out annual reviews of each specialty's estimated need for consultants.

For 1998–99, SWAG recommended further increases in the number of higher specialist trainees, in diagnostic radiology. It has recommended that these increases be treated as a priority.