HC Deb 14 July 1992 vol 211 cc685-6W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average age of consultants at the time of appointment, for each specialty and for each category of merit award.

Dr. Mawhinney

[holding answer 10 July 1992]: The table gives the average median age of consultants a t first appointment and the average age at which consultants receive each category of distinction award by broad specialty group for the latest year for which information is available.

Average median age of consultants on (A) first appointment and (B) obtaining merit award
A B
Years A + A B C
Accident and Emergency 37 — — 52 48
Anaesthesia 36 54 50 49 46
Dentistry 40 59 57 54 50
Medicine 38 56 54 49 46
Surgery 38 57 54 52 49
Obstetrics and Gynaecology 39 61 55 52 47
Pathology 36 58 54 50 46
Psychiatry 37 60 54 50 45
Public Health Medicine 41 55 59 49 49
Radiology 35 54 51 52 46
Radiotherapy 39 56 56 48 45
All specialties 37 57 54 50 47

A Source: Medical and Dental census—28 September 1990.

B Source: Advisory Committee on Distinction Awards—31 December 1991.