§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to increase the number of additional funded Higher Surgical Training next year; [87753]
(2) what plans he has to increase the number of consultants in surgical specialities. [87892]
§ Mr. HuttonAs at March 2002, there were 4,969 consultants within the surgical group, which represents an increase of 21 per cent. since September 1997. Current work force projections suggest that by March 2004, there may be sufficient trained specialists to increase numbers in the specialties by around 1,000 over a 2,000 baseline.
In 2002–03, the surgical specialties were allocated 34 of the total number of centrally funded national training numbers. The combined ceiling posts were 316. This gives trusts considerable opportunity to fund extra posts themselves. The first round of bidding for ceiling posts suggests that locally funded surgical posts will be popular and that the ceiling is likely to be reached.
We have agreed that 316 additional higher specialist surgical training opportunities, with central and local funding, should be made available to be taken up by March 2004. Additionally, we are identifying and encouraging suitable doctors on the specialist register, but not working as consultants to compete for posts, establishing more part-time and job share posts and improving retention through a flexible careers scheme and flexible retirement.