§ Sir K. Josephasked the Minister of Health the proportion of general practitioners who at the latest available date where working single-handed as opposed to working in partnership or group practice; and whether this is higher or lower than a year previously, and by how much.
§ Mr. VosperOn 1st July, 1956, 34.42 per cent. of the general practitioners providing unrestricted medical services in the National Health Service were in single-handed practice. This figure is 1.33 per cent. lower than the corresponding figure for a year earlier.
NURSING STAFF IN MENTAL HOSPITALS — Male Female Whole-time Part-time Whole-time Part-time Employed at 30th September, 1956 (latest available date) 10,709 197 9,649 6,740 Male Female Estimated shortage (in terms of whole-time staff):— At 30th September, 1956 2,900 4,500 At 31st December, 1955 3,100 5,150 At 31st December, 1954 3,000 5,350