§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the percentage expansion of consultant numbers required in each of the next five years to implement the Calman report. [30453]
§ Mr. MaloneMedical staffing policy aims to ensure an adequate supply of appropriately trained doctors in each speciality. Officials are currently taking advice from the medical profession and national health service managers, through SWAG—the specialist workforce advisory group—to ensure that there are enough doctors in training in each specialty and to assess the anticipated need for consultants as a result of the Calman changes.