HC Deb 03 August 1971 vol 822 cc1320-1
17. Dr. Miller

Mr. Alison

As the reply consists of a table of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Dr. Miller

I shall read the figures with great anticipation. As these payments are intended for practitioners to supply and be able to employ assistants in order to give their patients better services, will the hon. Gentleman encourage the grouping together of doctors so that they can increase the services which they provide for patients? What steps is he taking to encourage group practice and to further the building of health centres for this purpose?

Mr. Alison

The hon. Gentleman is right in pinpointing the question of health centres as one of the most important factors. Substantially increased expenditure, as he knows, is forecast for their development over the next few years. This is only one of the aspects of encouragement that we are giving to the development of group practices, the number of which is growing steadily.

DIRECT PAYMENTS MADE TO GENERAL MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS IN ENGLAND AND WALES IN RESPECT OF ANCILLARY ASSISTANCE
Year ended 31st March (i) Total payments £m. (ii) Number of practices claiming† in quarter ended 30th September (iii) Column (ii) Column (iii) £ (iv) Total unrestricted principals providing general medical services‡ 1st October (v) Column (ii) Column (v) £ (vi)
1966–67 … … 0.8§ * * 19,832 40§
1967–68 … … 3.7 6,851 540 19,837 185
1968–69 … … 4.7 7,080 665 19,957 235
1969–70 … … 5.8 7,297 795 20,133 290
1970–71 … … 70 7,354 950 20,357 345
1971–72 … … 8.11|| * * 20,529¶ 395
* Figure not available.
† Information about the number of principals in these practices is not available.
‡ This column includes principals who do not employ ancillary staff.
§ Represents one quarter's payment only.
|| Estimated figure.
¶ At 1st April. 1971