§ 25. Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has made of the number of additional general medical practitioners which would be required in Scotland if the present permitted maximum number of patients on a doctor's list was reduced from 3,500 to 2,000.
§ Mr. NobleSuch an estimate would involve studying in detail the distribution of doctors and patients, and would not be realistic without an assumption about the period over which this reduction in maximum list sizes could be achieved.
§ Sir M. GalpernIn view of the inability of a doctor properly to look after 3,500 patients; the highly desirable need to reduce the list to about 2,000; the known shortage of doctors in Scotland at the present time and the increased numbers which would be required if such a reduction in the lists were brought about, is the Minister prepared to urge the creation now of an additional medical school, because the present medical school output could not meet the needs were the steps taken that I have mentioned?
§ Mr. NobleThe problem which faces us in Scotland is not related to the number of doctors but to distribution. If we divide the number of patients by the number of doctors it will be found that we are, on average and over the whole country, below the 2,000 figure. But this does not alter the fact that the moment there are about 2½ million people on lists of over 2,000, 1½ million on lists of over 2,500, and 600,000 on lists of over 3,000. It is a problem of distribution, but we are doing our best to help.
§ Sir M. GalpernDo the Minister's calculations take into account the known increase in the population which will take place over the next few years?
§ 26. Sir M. Galpernasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the total number of general medical practitioners in Scotland; how many are associated in group practice; how many group practices are in operation; and how many of these are housed in fully equipped centres.
§ Mr. NobleAt 1st October last there were 2,775 general practitioners, including 121 assistants, practising under the National Health Service in Scotland. The term "group practice" is not precisely defined, but nearly three-quarters of these doctors were in partnerships. 358 Twenty-five practitioners practice from health centres.
§ Sir M. GalpernIn view of the small number of medical practitioners practising from properly-equipped group centres, is the Secretary of State prepared to initiate talks with the medical profession to see how this highly desirable development might be expedited?
§ Mr. NobleIt is my view that this is a desirable development, but at the moment it is experimental. I am certain that if the experiments are successful the medical service will seek my advice about whether I can promote it more quickly.