§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his policy is on assisting NHS trusts to recruit histopathology consultants. [129111]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department of Health has a number of national initiatives in place to assist National Health Service trusts to recruit consultants, including histopathologists.
Under the Department International Fellowship programme, twenty Histopathologists have been recruited and accepted others of employment from NHS trusts. A further nine have been recruited under the global scheme.
In addition, we are taking forward a programme of work to address key issues of concern to the medical profession as part of the Improving Working Lives initiative. The Flexible Careers Scheme, which is partially centrally funded, allows consultants to strike a better balance between work and other aspects of their life outside work. The scheme enables consultants to work flexibly such as working round the school holidays and job-sharing.