Surgeons (Hansard, 25 November 1985)

§ Mrs. Clwyd
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average number of hours per week worked by a surgeon employed by the National Health Service in the fields of ear nose and throat, gynaecology, and general surgery, respectively.

§ Mr. Mark Robinson
The information for Wales is as follows—
465W

Average hours per week worked by consultant surgeon*

Specialty Hours

Ear, nose and throat 36.1

Gynaecology and obstetrics† 34.4

General surgery 35.1

* Based on contract hours at 30 September 1984.

† Gynaecology cannot be identified separately from obstetrics.

§ Mrs. Clwyd
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the average work load, on a weekly basis, of surgeons now employed by the National Health Service in the specialties of ear nose and throat, gynaecology, and general surgery; and how many of these are day cases.

§ Mr. Mark Robinson
There is no single meaaure of surgeons' work load. The care of in-patients, out-patients and day cases each contributes to surgeons' activity. The latest available information for Wales for each of these is as follows:—

Average Weekly Number Per Consultant Surgeon*

In-patient Cases‡ Day case attendances Out-patient attendances

Ear, nose and throat 16.5 1.4 111.8

Gynaecology and obstetrics† 40.4 1.6 147.2

General Surgery 24.8 4.2 72.2

* Based on cases for year ending December 1984 and consultants employed at 30 September 1984.

† Gynaecology cannot be identified separately from obstetrics.

‡ Discharges and deaths.

§ Mrs. Clwyd
asked the Secretary of State for Wales if there are any plans to employ more surgeons in the specialties of ear nose and throat, gynaecology, and general surgery within the National Health Service, and specifically in the Mid Glamorgan health authority.

§ Mr. Mark Robinson
There are no manpower restrictions on the appointment of more consultants in these specialties. District health authorities in Wales already have approval for three new posts in general surgery, two in ear, nose and throat, and four in obstetrics and gynaecology. In Mid Glamorgan, the appointment of an obtetrician and gynaecologist has recently been made, and an advertisement placed for a general surgeon.

Average hours per week worked by consultant surgeon*
Specialty	Hours
Ear, nose and throat	36.1
Gynaecology and obstetrics†	34.4
General surgery	35.1
* Based on contract hours at 30 September 1984.
† Gynaecology cannot be identified separately from obstetrics.

Average Weekly Number Per Consultant Surgeon*
	In-patient Cases‡	Day case attendances	Out-patient attendances
Ear, nose and throat	16.5	1.4	111.8
Gynaecology and obstetrics†	40.4	1.6	147.2
General Surgery	24.8	4.2	72.2
* Based on cases for year ending December 1984 and consultants employed at 30 September 1984.
† Gynaecology cannot be identified separately from obstetrics.
‡ Discharges and deaths.