§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to formulate a Northern Ireland arthritis strategy; and if he will make a statement. [141846]
§ Angela SmithThe Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety is currently developing a long-term regional strategy for health and wellbeing which will place a greater emphasis on the need to address chronic conditions such as arthritis, through the provision of multi-disciplinary primary and community-based care. Arthritis Care NI has been invited to nominate a member to serve on a working group which will be preparing the regional strategy.
268WIn the meantime, the Department has made significant additional resources available to reduce waiting times for specialist treatments for arthritis sufferers.
§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he has taken to increase the number of rheumatologists in Northern Ireland. [141848]
§ Angela SmithThe Consultant medical workforce, across all hospital-based specialties, including rheumatology, is reviewed annually and the numbers in training are adjusted to meet assessed need, subject to available resources. In 2003, the number of consultants devoted exclusively to rheumatology was increased from seven to eight and the number of specialist trainees in rheumatology was increased from five to seven.