Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to act on the recommendation by the independent investigation into the loss of dermatology specialist services at the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust that Health Education England consider increasing the number of consultant dermatologists.

In response to the independent report, Health Education East Midlands has led on the development of a local action plan aimed at the preservation and development of dermatology services in Nottingham. Health Education East Midlands facilitated a meeting on 15 June 2015 of dermatology consultants and nurses from Nottingham University Hospital and Circle Nottingham. This was a productive meeting and considered the best approach to working arrangements which would provide a good quality service for patients and training opportunities for supporting and developing consultants.

It is locally recognised that there is a need for an expansion of dermatology training numbers. Health Education East Midlands will input into the investment and workforce plans developed annually by Health Education England (HEE).

There have been no meetings between the Government and HEE about the independent report.