§ Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of consultant geriatricians in the National Health Service; and what is the recommended number of posts.
§ Sir George YoungAt 30 September 1980 there were 405 consultants in geriatric medicine—397.0 whole-time equivalents—in England and Wales. While the Department has not recommended any staffing level for consultant geriatricians, professional opinion suggests a need for one consultant per 10,000 population over 65 plus a further 50 posts nationally to take account of factors such as teaching—research commitments or a wide geographical spread of population. This would currently require the equivalent of 780 whole-time consultants, rising to 800 in 1990.
§ Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what measures are being taken to bring the number of consultant geriatricians in the National Health Service up to the recommended levels.
§ Sir George YoungGeriatric medicine has been one of the most rapidly growing medical specialties in recent years, although there is still a substantial shortfall. To assist expansion, the Department is currently funding bursaries to enable senior registrars in general medicine or related sub-specialties to spend up to a year gaining experience in geriatric medicine. It is also encouraging appointments of general physicians with a special responsibility for elderly patients, and rotational training programmes for junior hospital doctors.