§ Andy KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners hold a specialist interest in(a) rheumatological conditions, (b) musculoskeletal conditions and (c) orthopaedics; and what steps are being taken to increase these numbers. [171930]
§ Mr. HuttonThere are now some 1,300 general practitioners with a special interest (GPwSIs). However, information on the number of general practitioners with a special interest in particular specialties is not collected centrally.
In line with "Shifting the Balance of Power", the expansion of the range of services provided in primary care, though the development of new staff roles, such as GPwSIs, should be locally driven Primary care trusts are therefore responsible for developing GPwSIs' services in accordance with their local health economy need to improve access for patients.