§ 13. Mr. Cockeramasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many health centres are now operational; how many general practitioners practise from these health centres; and how many health centres he expects to be opened in 1972 and 1973, respectively.
§ Mr. AlisonAt the end of February there were 284 health centres in operation in England, with approximately 1,550 general medical practitioners practising from them. I estimate that 80 more centres may be opened during 1972 and a further 90 during 1973.
§ Mr. CockeramWill the Undersecretary accept the thanks of the members of the medical profession and their patients for the great progress that has been made in this programme? Will he consider issuing some publicity to patients outlining the many advantages to be 282 gained by attending a doctor who is practising from a health centre rather than from his home, under the old arrangements?
§ Mr. AlisonI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his support on this subject. The best possible publicity for health centres is derived from the experiences of those who are treated in them.
Mr. ButlerCan my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary confirm that the population criterion for health centres is 7,000? If it is, will he consider lowering this figure, so that those in smaller towns can have the benefit of a health centre on their doorstep?
§ Mr. AlisonI will look at what my hon. Friend has said, but if a scheme can be shown to be viable loan sanction is invariably given.
§ 19. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated annual cost of building a health centre; and what was the total expenditure on them in 1969, 1970 and 1971.
§ Mr. AlisonThe cost of building a health centre varies considerably according to the extent of services provided from it. In England during the current financial year the estimated average building cost per health centre approved by my Department has been about £69,000. In 1969–70 the total capital expenditure approved for health centres was £4.8 million, in 1970–71 £5.0 million and in 1971–72, to 29th February. £5.7 million.
§ Mr. KnoxI congratulate my hon. Friend on the progress being made, but is it his intention that even faster progress should be made in the next three years, and does he intend to encourage general practitioners to extend the range of services they provide in the health centres?
§ Mr. AlisonYes. We expect a continued projection upwards and a steadily increasing number of health centres begun and completed every year.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWill the Minister say whether the figures he mentioned of £4.8 million, £5 million and £5.7 million represent a physical increase or an inflationary increase?
§ Mr. AlisonThis is a real increase.
§ Mr. Will GriffithsIs it not true that under successive Governments progress in building health centres has been held back by the refusal over many years of general practitioners to participate in health centres and will not this change of view be welcomed by everyone?
§ Mr. AlisonYes, there is no doubt that there has been a substantial swing of opinion among the medical and dental profession as to the usefulness and benefits of health centres.