§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place in the Library the records which he holds of the number of plastic surgery procedures broken down by category carried out in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement. [125738]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department is committed to improving patient access to plastic surgery, and the quality of care they receive. For these reasons the Modernisation Agency has established the 'Action on Plastic Surgery' programme. This will develop good practice and spread it throughout the national health service.
We have also increased the number of consultant plastic surgeons. At September 2002, there were 203 plastic surgeons, which is an increase of 31 per cent. since 1997. The Department is also supporting further expansion by increasing training places.
655WFigures for Finished Consultant Episodes broken down by a number of plastic surgical procedures carried out in the NHS for years 1992–93 to 2000–01, have been placed in the Library. Figures have been adjusted for coverage and missing/invalid clinical data. Comparable data prior to 1992–93 are not available, and data for 2001–02 are not yet available.