HC Deb 10 March 2003 vol 401 cc100-1W
Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners are expected to retire in the next 12 months in(a) the Southend PCT area,(b) the Rochford and Castle Point PCT area and (c) the Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT area; and if he will make a statement. [101935]

Mr. Lammy

The local primary care trusts are aware of this problem and are taking steps to improve the situation.

The information requested is shown in the tables.

Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents (UPEs)1 Leavers by Age Band for Castlepoint and Rochford, Maldon and South Chelmsford and Southend on Sea Primary Care Trusts: October 1999/September 2000 to September 2001/March 2002
Number (headcount)
Primary Care Trust PCT code Total UPEs Of which: Under 30 30–34 35–39 40–45 45–49
31 October 1999–30 September 20002
England total 1,090 14 92 149 89 73
Of which:
Castlepoint and Rochford PCT 5JP 8 0 0 1 0 0
Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 5GL — — — — — —
Southend on Sea PCT 5AK — — — — — —

Number (headcount)
Primary Care Trust PCT Code 50–54 55–59 60–64 65–69 70+
30 September 2001–31 March 2002
England total 88 138 95 63 0
Of which:
Castlepoint and Rochford PCT 5GL 0 0 0 0 0
Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 5GL 0 1 0 0 0
Southend on Sea PCT 5GL 0 0 0 0 0
30 September 2000–30 September 20012
England total 125 270 239 136 0
Of which:
Castelpoint and Rechford PCT 5JP 0 1 1 1 0
Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 5GL — — — — —
Southend on Sea PCT 5AK — — — — —
31 October 1999–30 September 20022
England total 132 210 196 135 0
Of which:
Castlepoint and Rochford PCT 5JP 2 2 2 1 0
Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT 5AK — — — — —
Southend n Sea PCT 5GL — — — — —
1 Unrestricted Principles and Equivalents include GMS Unrestricted Principles. PMS Contracted GPs and PMS Salaried GPs.
2 Data for Maldon and South Chelmsford PCT and Southend on Sea PCT is not available for these years.

Notes:

1. Leavers are calculated by comparing successive censuses.

2. September 2001–March 2002 leavers only refers to a six month comparison and are not directly comparable with 1999–2000 and 2000–01 which are based on a 12 month comparison.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Spanish GPs have(a) signed contracts agreeing to work and (b) commenced work in the Southend PCT area; and if he will make a statement on recent progress in recruitment of Spanish GPs. [101934]

Mr. Hutton

10 Spanish general practitioners have been appointed into the Southend Primary Care Trust area. Eight contracts have already been signed and a further two are in the process of being signed.

Five GPs will commence at the end of April with the further five starting three months later.