§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance is available to postgraduate medical trainees for expenses on(a) text books, (b) medical equipment and (c) examination fees; and if he will make a statement. [187764]
§ Mr. HuttonPostgraduate medical trainees are usually salaried employees of the national health service. As such, they do not receive specific help with their textbooks, equipment and examination fees. They do have access to postgraduate centres and libraries. They also have access to funded study leave, which enables postgraduate trainees to access specific courses and programmes. which enhance the training they receive through the NHS. Much of the equipment they will use is of course available through their employers. Trainees should have access either to standard texts and/or to the internet within the workplace.