HC Deb 26 July 1999 vol 336 c31W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of clinical and medical oncologists per 100,000 population for each health authority in Scotland. [90806]

Dr. Reid

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 28 June 1999,Official Report, column 30. Clinical and medical oncologists are not based throughout Scotland, but are employed in Cancer Centres in five locations—Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. They provide services at the centres and on an outreach basis according to need, to cover all health authorities. There is not a specific number of oncologists or proportion of oncologists' time assigned to each NHS Trust or Health Board.

From 1 July, this is a matter for the Scottish Parliament.