HC Deb 29 November 1976 vol 921 cc64-5W
Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many ear, nose and throat specialists there are in the United Kingdom in 1976; and whether there are any guidelines laid down for area health authorities on the provision of such specialists.

Mr. Moyle

At 30th September 1975 —the most recent date for which information is available—there were 99‣302.4 whole time equivalents—consultants in ear, nose and throat employed by the National Health Service in England. Specialists in other parts of the United Kingdom are the responsibility of my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but I understand there were 435 consultants in this speciality in the United Kingdom. There are no guidelines laid down centrally on the provision of such specialists or indeed for the majority of specialties.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether the number of ear, nose and throat specialists employed within the Gloucestershire Area Health Authority in relation to the population of that authority is above or below the national average;

(2) how many ear, nose and throat specialists there are working in Gloucestershire.

Mr. Moyle

At 30th September 1975, there were 20.2 whole time equivalent consultants in ear, nose and throat employed by the South Western Regional Health Authority, or 0.64 per 100,000 population. I understand that of these 3.01 whole time equivalents were provided in Gloucestershire AHA, 0.62 per 100,000 population. These ratios are slightly below the average for England of 0.65 per 100,000 population.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what the average waiting time is for an appointment with an ear, nose and throat specialist in Gloucestershire.

Mr. Moyle

Meaningful figures for average waiting times cannot be given since the length of time a patient may have to wait depends upon the priority attached to the case; urgent cases are of course seen without delay.

In Gloucestershire hospitals non-urgent cases usually wait between 12 and 40 weeks for an appointment.

Mr. Watkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services which hospitals in Gloucestershire have the services of an ear, nose and throat specialist.

Mr. Moyle

The following hospitals have the services of an ear, nose and throat consultant:

  • Gloucestershire Royal.
  • Stroud General.
  • Cheltenham General.
  • Cirencester Memorial.
  • Tetbury & District, Out-patients only.
  • Moreton-in-Marsh District, Out-patients only.
  • Tewkesbury, Out-patients only.