§ 14. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 600 how many health centres have been built in Northern Ireland to date; what percentage of the overall total of general practitioners is practising from these health centres; and how this compares with progress in the remainder of the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Peter MillsAt 1st December 1972 there were 31 health centres in operation in Northern Ireland, and it is estimated that between 17 per cent. and 18 per cent. of general practitioners were practising from health centres. In December 1971, the comparative percentages for England and Wales and for Scotland were 8.3 and 5.5 respectively.
§ Mr. LamontIn view of the importance of health centres—especially in deprived areas—in providing a variety of medical services conveniently available under one roof, what plans are there for the future?
§ Mr. MillsIn the short term, by 31st March 1975 there will be 63 health centres. In the long term, plans are in hand for a number of other projects whereby by 1980 there will be 500 family doctors working from about 90 centres. That is a very high percentage when it is compared with the situation over here.