§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neurosurgical consultants are expected to retire in each of the next five years. [167060]
§ Mr. HuttonAnalysis of recent past data suggests that if we take account of those leaving for career breaks and other reasons, as well as those leaving for retirement, a total of around 11 or 12 neurosurgical consultants leave each year. This is more than offset by the number of new joiners, rejoiners and those recruited through various recruitment and retention initiatives. We would not expect the number of leavers to change very much over time.