Surgeons (Hansard, 8 January 2002)

§ Mr. Burns
To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the estimated number of consultant surgeons needed in the NHS in England by June 2002; [24718]
(2) how many consultant surgeons he estimates will be practising in the NHS by June 2002; [24719]
(3) what is the projected figure for the number of consultant surgeons due to finish training by 2009–10; [24716]
(4) what is the estimated number of consultant surgeons needed in the NHS in England by 2009–10. [24715]

§ Mr. Hutton
The NHS Plan sets a target of 7,500 additional consultants by 2004, over the 1999 baseline, needed to deliver the service targets set out in the Plan. The NHS is currently identifying locally what consultants it needs to deliver the NHS Plan by 2004. We anticipate that by 2002 there will be an increase of around 340 trained specialists in the surgical specialties, over the 2000 baseline.
The Department's demand analysis suggests that by 2009–10 there could be a need for around 3,000 (headcount) additional consultant surgeons in the NHS in England, over the 2000 baseline. Around a further 1,320 trained specialists are expected to be available to take up surgical consultant posts by 2009–10, over the 2000 baseline.
We continually review future requirements for trained specialists as part of the NHS's new multi-disciplinary work force planning processes. These will look at the requirements for doctors alongside other staff focusing on the potential for new ways of working and developing new roles.
Projections of need will change as modernisation of the work force progresses. Supply projections will also change as numbers in training are varied in response to identified need.

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many prospective surgeons are undergoing training in the United Kingdom. [24349]
660W

§ Mr. Hutton
On 30 September 2000, the last available date for which data are currently available, there were 7,740 doctors training in the surgical group of specialties within the national health service.

§ Tim Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the target is for recruitment of new surgeons in England and Wales for each year up to and including 2009. [24348]

§ Mr. Hutton
We do not have targets for the recruitment of consultants in individual specialty groups. The NHS Plan sets a target of 7,500 additional consultants by 2004 over the 1999 baseline, needed to deliver the service targets set out in the Plan.
When retirements are taken into account, around a further 1,320 trained specialists are expected to be available to take up surgical consultant posts by 2009, over the 2000 baseline.
We continually review future requirements for trained specialists as part of the national health service's new multi-disciplinary work force planning processes. These will look at the requirements for doctors alongside other staff focusing on the potential for new ways of working and developing new roles.
Projections of need will change as modernisation of the work force progresses. Supply projections will also change as numbers in training are varied in response to identified need.
The information relating to Wales is a matter for the devolved Administration.