§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many consultant posts in orthopaedic surgery are currently unfilled in Birmingham; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeAt 30 September 1982, the last date for which information is available centrally, there were no vacant consultant posts in traumatic and orthopaedic surgery in the area covered by the former Birmingham area health authority.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has monitored the progress of the recommendations contained in the report of orthopaedic services in Birmingham which was referred to in the answer to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr of 7 November 1979, Official Report, c. 221–3; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeResponsibility for the organisation of orthopaedic services in Birmingham rests with the West Midlands regional health authority and the five Birmingham district health authorities. The hon. Member should approach those authorities about this matter.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the number of orthopaedic consultants in Birmingham hospitals has changed since May 1979; and what is the effect on hours available to National Health Service patients.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeFigures for May 1979 are not available. But between September 1978 and September 1981, the latest date for which information is available centrally, the number of consultants in traumatic and orthopaedic surgery in the area covered by the former Birmingham area health authority rose from 24 (representing a whole time equivalent of 16.8) to 29 (representing a whole time equivalent of 19.6). This represents an increase of about one-sixth in the time available to NHS patients.