HC Deb 14 January 2002 vol 378 c73W
Martin Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to increase the number of orthopaedic consultants working within the NHS. [25849]

Mr. Hutton

As at 30 September 2000, there were 1,200 consultants working within the orthopaedic and trauma specialty in England.

Our projections show that by September 2004, there will be around 250 extra trained specialists available to take up consultant posts in this speciality.

Martin Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the waiting time is for a first appointment to see an orthopaedic consultant at(a) St. George's Hospital, (b) Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, (c) Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and (d) Epsom and St. Helier's Hospital NHS trusts. [25850]

Mr. Hutton

The information requested is shown in the table.

Hospital Number1
St. George's 416
Chelsea and Westminster 126
Guys and St. Thomas' 1,229
Epsom and St. Helier 396
1 Number of patients with a written referral from a general practitioner who had not yet attended for a first outpatient appointment in trauma and orthopaedics by end of September 2001 who had been waiting 13 weeks and over.
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