§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of qualified radiologists under retirement age in England and Wales, the number of full-time equivalent posts occupied and vacant, respectively; and what regional shortages he anticipates will arise in the coming 12 months.
§ Mr. MoyleAt 30th September 1976 there were 716 whole-time equivalent consultant radiologists in post in the National Health Service in England and Wales; 43 whole-time equivalent posts were without a permanent holder, but about half of these were occupied by locums. Information about qualified radiologists employed outside the NHS is not available.
Supply of qualified radiologists has not kept pace with increasing demand in this specialty in recent years causing a shortage which I would expect to continue in most regions in the next 12 months.