Shortage of surgeons might threaten NHS targets

An additional 3000 surgeons are needed for England and Wales over the next five years if the government's targets for the NHS are to be fulfilled by 2010, says a new report by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Increasing subspecialisation among surgeons, the requirement for trainees to spend more time in training rather than providing a service, and shorter working hours means that more consultants are required to provide training and ensure that service needs are met.

In 2001 the college estimated that an extra 1454 surgeons would …