§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, following the findings of the report by the Arthritis and Rheumatism Council that arthritis sufferers in Strathclyde are 10 times less likely to be able to see a specialist consultant because of an insufficient number of rheumatologists in the region, he will take steps to increase the number of such specialists in the region.
§ Mr. FairgrieveResponsibility for establishing new medical posts in any specialty lies with health boards, subject only to the need for approval on behalf of the Secretary of State of any additional posts they may wish to create. In recent years no requests for additional consultant posts in rheumatology have been received from the health boards in the Strathclyde region or indeed from any other health board. Treatment of patients suffering from rheumatism and arthritis may be given by consultants in general medicine, rehabilitation and orthopaedic surgery in addition to rheumatologists.