§ 66. Mr. ConwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how many extra consultant posts the Government are funding in the west midlands following the discussion on the consultation document "Hospital Medical Staffing: Achieving a Balance."
§ Mr. NewtonTo help initiate the programme for structural change in hospital medical staffing set out in "Achieving a Balance: Plan for Action", details of which were announced on 27 October in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Bury, North (Mr. Burt) at column258, central funding is being made available for a limited period for an additional 100 consultant posts over two years. Of the 45 posts on offer in 1987–88, five have been allocated to West Midlands regional health authority. Bids are currently being considered for the 55 posts available for 1988–89. These posts will be additional to authorities' existing plans for consultant posts. In general it is for health authorities to determine the staff they need to fulfil their service plans, within available resources and broad national guidelines.