Cancer: Consultants

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cancer specialists were recruited in each year since 2000; how many full time equivalent cancer specialists there were in each year since 2000; and if he will make a statement. (163285)

[holding answer 12 November 2007]: Figures on recruitment of cancer consultants are not collected centrally but the following table shows the increase in consultants numbers over the previous year.

*Number of cancer consultants*¹ *recruited at September each year (by headcount)*
	Number
2000	166
2001	193
2002	192
2003	256
2004	212
2005	212
2006	118

The following table shows the number of full-time equivalent cancer consultants at September each year.

*Number of cancer consultants*¹ *at September each year (by full-time equivalent)*
	Number
2000	3,183
2001	3,331
2002	3,569
2003	3,787
2004	4,005
2005	4,246
2006	4,389
¹ The six main cancer specialists consist of clinical oncology, medical oncology, palliative medicine, haematology, histopathology and clinical radiology. Source: Information Centre, Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Volume 467: debated on Thursday 15 November 2007