§ 11. Sir K. Josephasked the Minister of Health the number of doctors practising in under-doctored areas; and the number of patients in these areas in 1952 and 1957.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere were 3,484 doctors practising in under-doctored areas in July, 1956, the latest date for which figures are available. The approximate number of patients in such areas decreased from 21½ million in 1952 to 9½ million in 1956.
§ Dr. SummerskillHow often are these under-doctored areas reviewed?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe under-doctored areas are the areas designated as such by the Medical Practices Committee. They are the areas to which additional doctors can be admitted without question. As far as I know, there is what could be described as a continuous process of review by the Medical Practices Committee.