HC Deb 17 February 1997 vol 290 c380W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the main findings of the inquiry of the chairman of the task force into the implementation of proposals in respect of medical senior house officers at the North Staffordshire medical assessment unit; and if he will make a statement. [14313]

Mr. Malone

The West Midlands regional task force on junior doctors' hours provides both formal and informal advice to local health authorities and trusts when necessary, as part of their on-going role in helping to ensure compliance with the new deal for junior doctors' hours. The issues raised are a matter for local discussion.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of additional senior medical house officers required in(a) North Staffordshire and (b) the West Midlands. [14314]

Mr. Malone

The postgraduate dean, with advice from the West Midlands regional task force on junior doctors' hours, is currently considering numbers of senior house officers in all areas of the west midlands to ensure an appropriate balance of doctors and to help to implement the new deal for junior doctors, hours, copies of which are available in the Library.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list for the West Midlands NHS trust the ratio of senior medical house officers to the number of acute medical admissions(a) in day-time hours and (b) out of hours. [14318]

Mr. Malone

Information on the number of admissions by time of day is not available centrally.