HC Deb 24 March 1949 vol 463 c553
71. Mr. Bossom

asked the Minister of Health what is the maximum number of patients he allows a doctor to take on his panel.

Mr. Bevan

Four thousand.

Mr. Bossom

Could the Minister say about how long that permits the doctor to give to each patient when he is considering his complaint?

Mr. Bevan

Action is already being taken to reduce the number, where it is above 4,000, to 4,000, but it must also be borne in mind that these are not patients. These are persons on doctors' lists and I am glad to say that they do not all require attention at the same time.

Mr. Bossom

I asked about the patients. How long does each patient get?

Mr. Bevan

It is obviously impossible to tell how long each patient gets. That would depend upon the needs of the patient.