Anaesthetic manpower in the future in the UK

The short-term objective of the DHSS of a 1:1 consultant: junior ratio by 1988 is compatible with current trends in consultant expansion and implies no reduction in registrars before then. The target of doubling the number of consultants in 15 years cannot be met in anaesthesia without a fairly sharp, and relatively short-lived increase in senior registrar numbers. This has implications for planning in other specialties, particularly surgery. It seems prudent to assume the target will take longer than 15 years to achieve. Between 1988 and 2004 there would need to be a reduction of between one and two registrar posts per region per annum if the DHSS target of a consultant:junior ratio of 1.8:1 is to be met. Lesser reductions would be necessary if there were to be expansion of Hospital Practitioners in anaesthesia. No change in the number of senior registrar posts need be envisaged. If entry were properly controlled, the current number of registrar posts would be compatible with a viable career structure for British graduates.