Use of mortality rates and Hospital Activity Analysis as performance indicators of consultant staffing in thoracic medicine in Wales.

An analysis of data from mortality rates and Hospital Activity Analysis has been used to determine potential "work loads" for respiratory diseases for each health authority in Wales. Mortality rates were generally higher in the authorities with fewer chest physicians in relation to the population. Three health authorities--West Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, and Clwyd--stood out as having a very much higher "work load" per chest physician than the other authorities. A fourth, Powys, had no chest physician. Analyses of this nature may be useful in assessing the requirements for medical staffing in any specialty within a region.