§ Mr. BestTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the advice and practices of the Specialist Workforce Advisory Group on(a) waiting list numbers and (b) the provision of services in smaller hospitals. [54036]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Specialty Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG) advises Government about the numbers of doctors in higher specialist training needed to meet estimated requirements for consultants four to six years ahead. SWAG's first set of recommendations was for the year 1996–97. The effect, in terms of the numbers of doctors completing training and taking up consultant posts, and thus contributing to the reduction of waiting lists, is beginning to be felt. SWAG's planning process takes account of the views of the National Health Service and the medical profession about service needs. The782W deployment of consultants supplied through national workforce planning is for trusts and health authorities to determine.