Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Health if he will give the total number of doctors in general practice in England and Wales and available to the National Health Service at the last date for which statistics are available; and what were the numbers of withdrawals from the additions to the medical list during the 12 months preceding that date.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe total number of principals providing full general medical services in England and Wales at 1st October, 1965, was 20,027. The numbers of admissions and withdrawals during the preceding 12 months were 980 159W and 1,199 respectively, but it is estimated that these figures may include 170–180 principals leaving and returning to general practice during the year.
Privisional figures for the last quarter of 1965 indicate a further net loss of 44 principals during that period.