§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures are used to collect central statistics to monitor progress towards the 48-hour general practitioner access target; and if he will publish the latest statistics available. [144941]
§ Mr. HuttonPerformance is monitored through a monthly survey by primary care trusts of their general practices.
In October 2003, this survey showed that nationally, 94 per cent. of patients were able to be offered an appointment to see a general practitioner within two working days.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from primary care trusts about the effect of high property prices on general practitioners setting up new premises; what his Department's policy is on the issue; and if he will make a statement. [144592]
§ Mr. HuttonI am not aware of any general concerns raised by primary care trusts about general practitioners experiencing difficulties setting up new premises because of high property prices. The arrangements to reimburse general practitioner premises costs take account of differing property prices.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of the adult population of England are registered with a general practitioner. [145197]
§ Mr. HuttonAt 30 September 2002 (the latest published data), 41,635,243 people aged 16 years and over were recorded as registered with a general practitioner or provider of personal medical services in England.
It is not possible to express these figures accurately as a percentage of the adult population, as the phenomenon of "list inflation' means that registered populations are 191W typically larger than actual populations. This phenomenon arises where a patient moves his or her registration and for a period may be registered on two lists. Similarly, an individual who dies or moves abroad may remain on a list for a time.