§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the reduction in junior doctors' hours will not create or exacerbate shortages of junior doctors in(a) paediatrics and (b) other specialties.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonDoctors in training in hard-pressed posts should not be contracted for more than 72 hours per week after 31 December 1994. Additional funding of £1.2 million has been made available in 1994–95, bringing the cumulative total to £9.2 million, to assist NHS employers with the greatest difficulties in meeting the hours targets. It should be possible to make the required reductions in junior doctors' hours by the968W effective deployment of staff without adversely affecting the level of services to patients.
§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the present and expected shortage of junior hospital doctors in each of the health board areas in Scotland; and if he will break down these figures by each hospital-based specialty.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe numbers of doctors in higher specialist training in Scotland are based on the numbers estimated to be needed for consultant posts in the future. The assessment of the numbers of doctors, including those in training, needed to provide services for patients is a matter for individual NHS trusts in consultation with health boards.