§ Mr. CrausbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled in the last 12 months at Bolton Royal Hospital due to unavailability of an anaesthetist. [100921]
§ Mr. DenhamOver the last twelve months, no operations were cancelled at the Royal Bolton Hospital due to the unavailability of an anaesthetist. All consultant anaesthetist posts at the hospital are currently filled and two additional consultants are expected to be appointed early next year.
§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many operations have been cancelled at(a) St. Bartholomew's Hospital, (b) the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and (c) the Homerton Hospital in Hackney due to the lack of availability of an anaesthetist. [101409]
§ Mr. DenhamSince April 1999, St. Bartholomew's Hospital has cancelled an estimated three operations, the Royal London Hospital an estimated 14 operations and the Homerton Hospital no operations, due to illness or absence of anaesthetic staff, or because an anaesthetist was called away to deal with a clinical emergency. Currently, all consultant anaesthetist posts within the Homerton National Health Service Trust are filled.
§ Ms Oona KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to ensure the availability of anaesthetists, and to prevent operations being cancelled due to their absence. [101410]
§ Mr. DenhamAt national level, numbers of higher specialist trainees in anaesthetics have been reviewed recently and we are satisfied there are sufficient to meet National Health Service demands for consultant anaesthetists over the next few years. Currently, there are enough higher specialist trainees in anaesthetics, for there to be around 1,280 extra qualifying for consultant posts by 2005. It will be for individual NHS trusts and health authorities who are accountable for the quality of the services they provide, to determine the number, grade and mix of staff they will require to deliver quality services in their location.