More urologists are needed

EDITOR,—The classified advertisements supplement of 14 January contains advertisements for seven consultant posts in urology. Throughout Britain about 40 specialist urology posts are unfilled. This year 10 accredited trainees will become eligible to apply for consultant posts. The new deal for junior doctors demands a substantial increase in the number of consultants. In my segment of south east London (Greenwich, Bexley, and Bromley) 3.5 consultant urologists struggle to serve 750 000 people. When we recently advertised for a new consultant none of the applicants was accredited. Even if the number of training posts was doubled tomorrow those in them would take five years to be ready to practise.

Who then is to provide the service to the increasing number of patients with urological problems? At present only two courses of action exist: the creation of a substantial number of staff grade posts to fill the urgent shortfall in services and a recruitment drive on the Continent, led and financed by the government, for suitably trained people. The need is acute; action is necessary now.