§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS consultants were formally appraised in(a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02. [61445]
§ Mr. HuttonA number of local schemes for the appraisal of National Health Service consultants were in place prior to the introduction of a national system of formal appraisal for NHS consultants in April 2001.
Precise information about the number of consultants appraised in the introductory year of the national scheme, or under the local schemes which preceded it, is not collected by the Department. Chief executives of NHS trusts are accountable for ensuring that all consultants are appraised.
We plan to undertake a scoping exercise later this year to ascertain how the NHS has implemented the arrangements.