HEALTH chiefs in Burnley are hoping that the shortage of consultant anaesthetists in the area will be solved by the autumn.

Burnley Health Care NHS Trust launched a worldwide search for consultants earlier this year, advertising posts in North America, the Far East and South Africa.

But a nationwide shortage of specialists means consultants can name their price, and the trust is being forced to consider paying premium salaries to attract people to Burnley.

Trust chairman Brian Foster said the trust was being put in a difficult situation by the shortage. "We are in a competitive market and we're trying to look after the delivery of health care," he explained.

"On the one hand we could be criticised for making extra payments, but on the other hand we could be criticised if we were shutting down intensive care because of the lack of anaesthetists."

Trust chief executive David Chew said: "We're hoping the situation by the autumn will be much more comfortable for us."

The trust has appointed an extra anaesthetist with a special interest in intensive care, and Mr Chew is following up two accredited candidates who are UK medical graduates.

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