§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the demand for more NHS dentists in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [117291]
§ Mr. HuttonNational Health Service dentistry is accessible for much of the population of Shropshire, although we are aware of long-standing problems in some areas. Together with Shropshire health authority we have taken steps to deal with the problems through a dental access centre based in Shrewsbury and Donnington, where services are offered to non-registered patients.
Number of general nursing homes, mental nursing homes and private hospitals and clinics within County Durham Health Authority Type of accommodation 11994–95 1995–96 1996–97 21998 31999 General nursing homes 4— 4— 4— 94 92 Mental nursing homes 4— 4— 4— 28 26 Private hospitals and clinics 4— 4— 4— 1 0 Total 103 113 113 123 118 1 Information for 1994–95, 1995–96 and 1996–97 relate to the period 1 October to 31 March. 2 Information for 1998 and 1999 relates to 31 March. 3 Information for 1999 is provisional. 4 Not available.