§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will provide separate and additional funding for health authorities to employ more consultants in areas where need can be demonstrated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorGenerally, health authorities are responsible for determining the number of consultant posts required to fulfil their service objectives and for funding these posts. However, to give an initial impetus to the "Achieving a Balance" initiative we provided central funding for 100 additional posts in general medicine, general surgery and traumatic and orthopaedic surgery. Some authorities have also used the waiting list fund to provide additional consultant sessions to help tackle the problem of long waiting lists and times.
§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Heath what is his target for the number of consultants in the National Health Service; when he expects this target to be met; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorRegional health authorities are responsible for planning the number of consultants they require to meet service needs. Their forward plans show an average rate of expansion similar to the historical rate of growth of some 2 per cent. per annum and I would expect this to be maintained. Regional health authorities are held to account annually, through the regional review procedure, for meeting the targets that they set in their plans.