§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the number of forms completed by GPs annually. [31365]
§ Mr. MaloneThe average general practitioner currently submits just over 600 claim forms per year. From 1 July 1996 approximately 30 per cent. of claim forms will be abolished and completion of the remainder may be delegated to practice staff. Doctors will also have to complete 400 fewer prescriptions per year and simplified patient registration forms mean that GPs benefit from a 34 per cent. reduction in the number of such forms to be signed.