§ 2. Mr. Hubbard-Milesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what was the number of general practitioners practising in Wales in 1978–79 and at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ 17. Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Wales what has been the increase in the number of general practitioners in Wales since 1979.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)At October 1978, including trainees and assistants, there were 1,418 general medical practitioners practising in Wales. The corresponding figure for October 1979 was 1,448 and for October 1983, the latest date for which figures are available, 1,620.
§ Mr. Hubbard-MilesI am grateful to my hon. Friend for that answer, which once again clearly demonstrates the improvement in health care in Wales. How has the doctor-patient ratio been affected by the increase in numbers?
§ Mr. RobertsI am glad to hear my hon. Friend's observation that those figures show our concern to continue improving primary health care in Wales. The average doctor's list is 1,975 patients. This compares with 2,148 patients per doctor in 1978.
§ Mr. BestIs my hon. Friend aware that many general practitioners regard this Government as the most successful for a long time in the provision of health care? [Interruption.] This year £9 million is being allocated to major hospital developments. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also taken an initiative with regard to renal dialysis in Bangor, Swansea and Carmarthen. [Interruption.] The Department is examining provisions to help cancer sufferers in North Wales, which I welcome, and to expand the bone marrow transplantation unit. A major initiative has been taken to examine the incidence of heart disease in Wales. These matters should surely be acknowledged by everyone.
§ Mr. RobertsIn spite of all the jeering from the Opposition, my hon. Friend is absolutely right in saying that the NHS in Wales is advancing on all fronts. Recurring revenue resources have been increased by 10 per cent. between 1979–80 and 1983–84. There has been a further increase of 2.7 per cent. in 1984–85, and there will be a further 3 per cent. increase next year.
§ Mr. WigleyIs the Under-Secretary of State aware that the NHS is advancing backwards on one front — the limited list of drugs? The overwhelming majority of GPs in Wales have strongly protested about the Government's actions. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, because of the Government's initiative, thousands of disabled people and pensioners are worried that they will not be able to obtain the drugs that they need for their conditions? Will the hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that, since he has responsibility for this matter in Wales, he will think again about the Government's actions?
§ Mr. RobertsThe hon. Gentleman should be aware that only some one third of prescriptions are paid for. The remaining two thirds are free. With regard to the limited list, the list of some 30 drugs submitted for consultation resulted in a number of representations from GPs and patients in Wales, and we are grateful for them. As a 640 result, the Government have published a new list of some 100 drugs, and we are convinced that they will be adequate to meet all clinical needs.
§ Sir Raymond GowerDo not those figures reflect the fact that, whatever other items of Government expenditure have been affected by necessary changes, a high priority has been given to health services throughout the term of this Government and their Conservative predecessors? Does that not make nonsense of the untrue propaganda to the contrary?
§ Mr. RobertsMy hon. Friend is right. It is high time that the Opposition acknowledged the advances that have been made in the National Health Service in Wales instead of adopting the cribbing attitude that they have to date.
§ Dr. Roger ThomasWill the Minister turn his attention to unemployment among junior doctors; in particular those who have spent four years after qualification being trained for general practice? Those people, on qualifying, have to apply for about 50 or 60 places before they are successful. It is practically impossible for doctors who have qualified overseas to obtain posts. There we have a case of racial discrimination of the first order.
§ Mr. RobertsI do not agree with the hon. Gentleman. He is aware of the contribution to the National Health Service by doctors from abroad. All hon. Members will be ready to acknowledge that. Unemployment is, of course, a matter that junior doctors encounter in the process of obtaining the jobs that they want.