§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will publish in the Official Report the changes that have taken place in the way general practice areas within the Principality are designated, following the recent announcement by the medical practices committee; whether areas previously designated as restricted are now intermediates; whether these previously intermediates have now been made open areas; and what additional medical manpower he envisages will be needed to improve the patient to general practitioner ratio in each health area in Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe changes in classification of practice areas which took effect from 1 May 1981 area as follows: 197W
Classification Pre 1 May 1981 From 1 May 1981 Areas where average list of patients:— Open exceeds 2,200 and a designated classification is not appropriate exceeds 2,100 and a designated classification is not appropriate Intermediate is between 1,801 and 2,200 (inclusive) is between 1,701 and 2,100 (inclusive) Restricted is 1,800 or less is 1,700 or less The effect of these changes in individual practice areas is currently being examined by the Medical Practices Committee. The ratio of patients to general practitioners is not necessarily a reliable indicator of the standard of General Medical Services in any area, but each net addition to the number of practitioners improves the ratio.