HC Deb 26 October 1981 vol 10 c281W

Mr. Carter-Jones asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of special paediatric surgeons in each area health authority per 1,000 births; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Geoffrey Finsberg:

At 30 September 1980, 39 consultants—35.9 whole-time equivalents—whose major commitment was paediatric surgery were in contract with health authorities in England; other general surgeons also undertake paediatric work. No breakdown is available by area, but by region, the distribution of consultant paediatric surgeons then was as follows:

Region Consultants (whole-

time equivalent)

Whole-time

equivalent/1000 live

births

Northern1.60.0581
Yorkshire2.00.0388
Trent4.00.0663
East Anglia
N.W Thames1.80.0379
N.E Thames2.40.0465
S.E Thames3.60.0788
S.W Thames1.00.283
Wessex2.00.0585
Oxford2.00.0606
South-Western1.00.0255
West Midlands4.00.0562
Mersey4.00.1240
North-Western3.70.0680
Hospitals for Sickincluded in national
Children2.8average
————
England35.90.0581