§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the doctor/patient ratio in the Leek parliamentary constituency; if he is satisfied that the emergency doctor service in that area is working satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe average list size in my hon. Friend's constituency is 2,278 compared with the national average of 2,421, the improvement over the position in May last being primarily due to the recruitment of an additional four doctors in Biddulph and Kidsgrove.
Most practices in the area operate rota schemes outside normal hours. Three practices have consent to use a commercial deputising service at weekends: and one of these practices also uses it on Thursdays. The executive council has received no complaints about general medical services or emergency services in the area.