Orthopaedic Consultants (Hansard, 14 January 2002)

§ Martin Linton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of orthopaedic consultants working within the NHS. [25849]

§ Mr. Hutton
As at 30 September 2000, there were 1,200 consultants working within the orthopaedic and trauma specialty in England.
Our projections show that by September 2004, there will be around 250 extra trained specialists available to take up consultant posts in this speciality.

§ Martin Linton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for a first appointment to see an orthopaedic consultant at(a) St. George's Hospital, (b) Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, (c) Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and (d) Epsom and St. Helier's Hospital NHS trusts. [25850]

§ Mr. Hutton
The information requested is shown in the table.

Hospital Number¹

St. George's 416

Chelsea and Westminster 126

Guys and St. Thomas' 1,229

Epsom and St. Helier 396

¹ Number of patients with a written referral from a general practitioner who had not yet attended for a first outpatient appointment in trauma and orthopaedics by end of September 2001 who had been waiting 13 weeks and over.

Hospital	Number¹
St. George's	416
Chelsea and Westminster	126
Guys and St. Thomas'	1,229
Epsom and St. Helier	396
¹ Number of patients with a written referral from a general practitioner who had not yet attended for a first outpatient appointment in trauma and orthopaedics by end of September 2001 who had been waiting 13 weeks and over.