HL Deb 26 November 2002 vol 641 cc37-8WA
Lord Rogan

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Privy Seal on 7 November (WA 178) which indicated that there are 79 hospital consultant vacancies in Northern Ireland, what proportion of the total number of hospital consultants this comprises; and what steps they are taking to remedy the position. [HL175]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

According to the most up-to-date figures held by the department, there are approximately 940 hospital consultant posts in Northern Ireland. There are currently 79 vacancies, which equates to 8.4 per cent.

The department's special advisory committees carry out an annual review of the consultant workforce in each of the clinical specialties, and the numbers in training are adjusted, subject to available resources, to meet the assessed need.