Developments in rheumatology consultant manpower provision: The BSR/arc Workforce Register 2003-05

Objectives. To summarize the changes and continuing inequalities in rheumatology service provision in the UK between 2001 and 2005. Methods. Questionnaires about demographics and workload were sent to all consultants on the BSR/arc Workforce Register in January 2003 and 2005. Results. A total of 94% of 506 consultants responded in 2003 and 89% of 542 in 2005. About 19% of the consultants practice rheumatology with acute medicine. Levels of optimal provision exceed 60% in England and Wales, but are below 50% in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The levels of provision in London are substantially higher than anywhere else. The median number of hours worked per week has increased from 35.2 in 2003 to 41 in 2005. Conclusions. Rheumatology continues to expand. There is inequality with better provision in England (especially London) and Wales than Scotland and Northern Ireland. Patterns of nurse and Senior House Officer (SHO) provision correlate with consultant numbers. Thus, the catalyst for improved service is consultant expansion. © 2006 Oxford University Press.