§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied with the number of doctors in Newport, Monmouthshire, in ratio to the population; how the figures compare with other towns of a similar size and population; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe average number of patients on the lists of doctors providing full general medical services in Newport at 1st October, 1967 was 2,498 against the average for England and Wales of 2,472. Since that time, two additional doctors have begun practice in Newport, reducing the average to 2,399. There are no towns of comparable size in Wales, but at 1st October, 1967 the average number of patients per doctor in Newport was slightly higher than in Cardiff (2,314) and Swansea (2,209) but lower than in Merthyr Tydfil (2,563). The recent improvement in the position at Newport is gratifying but there is still room for further improvement.