§ 38. Mr. Hastingsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that on 1st July, 1956, there were in England and Wales 2,989 doctors with lists of over 3,500 providing general medical service under the National Health Service Act as principals and 1,914 as assistants and trainee assistants; and what progress has been made in reducing the lists of over 3,500 of the 1,075 doctors without assistants.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganI think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. A single-handed general practitioner may not have more than 3,500 patients, or 5,500 if he has an assistant. A doctor in a partnership may, however, have a 23 list of more than 3,500 patients, even though he has no assistant, but the average for the partnership must not exceed 3,500.