§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give details of the number of consultant nephrologists currently practising in England within the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement relating to future plans relating to the number of consultant nephrologists.
§ Mr. John PattenOn 30 September 1983 the number of consultants and senior hospital medical officers with allowance in nephrology employed by the National Health Service in England was 68. It is for health authorities to decide their future requirements for nephrologists in the light of local needs. General physicians with an interest in nephrology also perform a substantial role in providing specialist services but their numbers are not available centrally.