Written question asked by Andy King (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 10 June 2004. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 10 June 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To 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.

Answer: Andy King: To 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. Hutton: There 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.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 171930; 422 c553W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: General practitioners Staff Orthopaedics Rheumatology Musculoskeletal disorders
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk