§ Lord Corbett of Castle Valeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was the number of (a) funded and (b) non-funded specialist registrar posts in neurology in the National Health Service in England and Wales in 1996–97; and what plans there are for increases in each category. [HL3148]
§ Lord WarnerIn 1996 and 1997, there were 163 staff and 159 staff respectively within the registrar group in neurology. The funding arrangements at that time required Postgraduate Deans to fund 50 per cent of the cost of a new specialist registrar (SpR) post and trusts would fund the remaining 50 per cent.
SpR posts are now funded in two ways; either through central funding (100 per cent funding) or local funding, in which trusts either convert existing training posts or remap money into the training levy to pay for the post. This process of funding was established in 2001–02.
In 2001–02, central funding was provided to support the implementation of five additional SpR posts in neurology and eight additional posts were funded locally.
In 2002–03, central funding was provided to support the implementation of two additonal SpR posts in neurology and five additonal posts were funded locally.
In 2003–04, central funding is being provided to support the implementation of 10 additonal SpR posts in neurology. Trusts will also have the opportunity to create up to 20 locally funded SpR training opportunities.
The case for further neurology expansion will be reviewed in specialty review meetings this summer.
Information relating to Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.