§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what new recruitment initiatives he plans to rectify the shortfall in surgeons in England; what assessment he has made of the feasibility of widening access to training programmes; what expenditure has been allocated to rectify the shortfall; by what date he expects the shortfall to be redressed; and if he will make a statement; [26098]
(2) if he will make a statement on the shortfall in surgical staff in England. [26097]
§ Mr. HuttonThe NHS Plan work force numbers targets, updated in the Government's manifesto, provide the staff needed to deliver the NHS Plan up until 2005. International recruitment of medical staff including surgical staff is being taken forward to help deliver these targets.
Increases in national health service staffing are funded from the general allocation to the NHS and for staff in training from the multi professional education and training budget. Spending plans beyond 2002–03 are currently being finalised as part of SR2002.
Our current supply projections expect an increase of around 1,320 trained specialists to be available to take up surgical consultant posts by 2009–10. This reflects increases in the numbers of doctors in higher specialist training in surgery as a result of the NHS Plan. Projections to 2009–10 suggest an increasing gap between supply and demand may emerge without further action. We continually review future work force needs as part of our national work force planning processes and take action accordingly to address any shortfalls. This action includes increasing numbers in training but also Modernising roles and developing new ways of working for doctors alongside other staff.