Trends in Consultant Appointments in Mental Handicap

Abstract

The DHSS/College recommended establishment for consultant posts in the psychiatry of mental handicap is one whole-time equivalent per 200,000 population.1 In 1982 the theoretical average in the English∗ regions was 1:321,000, varying between 1:153,000 (South West Thames) and 1:620,000 (North West). There were, however, 41 vacant posts, 19 of which were occupied by locums,2 so the actual substantive average was 1:612,000. By 1983 the number of vacant posts had risen to 49 and the substantive consultant/population ratios varied between 1:202,000 (South Western) and 1:2,170,000 (North Western).3