§ 51. Mr. Orbachasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations there have been on the need for an additional consultant in the radiological department of the Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport; and, in view of the increasing waiting list for examinations, if she will approve such an appointment.
§ Dr. OwenI am considering general representations from the North-Western Regional Health Authority about the total number of new consultant posts for the region. In addition the Stockport Central Health Council has recently made specific representation about Stepping Hill Hospital. Last year the authority sought my approval of a number of new consultant posts in radiology, including one for Stockport. The Central Manpower Committee, which advises me, considered that, in the light of limited recruitment in radiology nationally, and of the needs of other regions, the region might plan to increase by four the number of consultants in this specialty in 1975–76. The authority was accordingly asked to use for this purpose four planning approvals previously given but not used, and it is for the authority to consider the priority of hospitals within the region.