§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which recommendations issued by the joint consultants' committee in respect of increased consultant expansion he has acted upon and implemented since the joint planning advisory committee discussion document in July 1984.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe consultation document issued in July 1984, in line with a recommendation of the Select Committee on Social Services, related to the senior registrar grade. The document, which was agreed by the joint consultants' committee as a basis for consultation, proposed joint planning between universities and health authorities of numbers in that and equivalent academic grade. Consultation established broad agreement on objectives and discussions are continuing on ways and means.
One JCC suggestion in these discussions explored a once and for all expansion of consultant posts by 100 in two specialties, as an alternative or in addition to joint 509W planning of senior registrars. Over the last five years, consultant numbers in England have grown by an average of some 250 a year. Further progress towards the objective of providing a greater proportion of patient care by fully trained doctors is for health authorities to carry forward, in accordance with national policies and their own assessment of local needs and priorities.