§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what approval is required from the dean of faculty to enable a district general hospital to appoint a senior house officer in medicine once training approval has been granted by the Royal College of Physicians; and if he will make a statement. [14315]
§ Mr. MaloneArrangements for the recruitment of medical and dental trainees are set out in an executive letter EL(94)58, and copies have been placed in the Library. Senior house officer posts may be given staffing approval by the regional task force on junior doctors' hours in consultation with the postgraduate dean. In approving a new SHO post, the postgraduate dean will wish to have regard to the distribution of posts within a region, the balance of training opportunities for each specialty and the availability of applicants and resources.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what are the professional guidelines for the ratio of senior medical house officers to patient work load(a) in day-time hours and (b) out of hours. [14317]
§ Mr. MaloneIn each national health service trust the number and grading mix of doctors is based on careful appraisal, by department, of the service and training commitments, the tasks required, and the skills and competencies needed. These requirements vary according to the type of trust, service needs and local circumstances.