§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to address the shortage of paediatric pathologists. [57202]
590W
NHS hospital and community health services (HCHS): qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff within the physiotherapy area of work by health authority area and per population as at 30 September 2001 Health authority Whole-time equivalents Per 100,000 population Per head of population Headcount England 12,990 26 0.0003 16,210 Northern and Yorkshire 1,880 30 0.0003 2,270 QDD—Bradford 160 33 0.0003 190 QDE—County Durham and Darlington 110 18 0.0002 130 QDF—East Riding and Hull 140 24 0.0002 160 QDG—Gateshead and South Tyneside 80 23 0.0002 90 QDH—Leeds 280 38 0.0004 330
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department is aware of the difficulties facing national health service paediatric pathology services, highlighted in the recent report by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 'The Future of Paediatric Pathology Services.' We are committed to working closely with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Pathologists to improve long-term staffing levels in this speciality. The establishment of three histopathology training schools and of international fellowships to attract experienced histopathologists to work in the NHS will both increase the pool from which paediatric pathologists can be recruited. The children's care group workforce team also plans to start work on this issue in June.