§ 64. Mr. Thorntonasked the Minister of Health what is the approximate number of doctors who will have attained the age of 60 years and over, and 65 years and over, on 5th July, 1968; and what is his estimate of the proportions these will represent of doctors in general practice at that date.
§ Mr. BarberIt is estimated that on present trends in 1968 about 4,500 doctors in the National Health Service will be over 60 and about 1,700 will be over 65; of those over 60, it is estimated that about 70 per cent. will be in general practice, and of those over 65, about 90 per cent.
§ 65. Mr. Thorntonasked the Minister of Health what is his estimate of the number of doctors who will retire in the year immediately following 5th July, 1968; and how this compares with his estimated intake of doctors in the same year.
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§ Mr. BarberI regret that the information on which a precise estimate can be based is not at present available, but there can be no doubt that intake will exceed retirements.
§ Mr. Spriggsasked the Minister of Health what is the number of doctors per 1,000 of the population in England and Wales at the latest convenient date; and what progress he has achieved in relation to the number of doctors practising in the county borough of St. Helens.
§ Mr. Braine0.435 general practitioners per 1,000 civilian population in mid-1963. The situation in St. Helens is still as I described it in my reply to the hon. Member on 20th April, which showed a slight improvement.