HC Deb 13 December 1976 vol 922 c608W
Mr. Michael Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical practitioners in England and Wales have left the service on retirement or death in each year since 1970.

Mr. Moyle

The available information is as follows:

Kingdom or Ireland who were in the National Health Service Hospital Service or general medical service in England and Wales on 30th September of the year stated but not on 30th September of the previous year. Not all of these doctors will have entered the country immediately prior to joining the NHS, and the figures include a certain number re-entering the Service after a temporary absence. Comparable figures for the Community Health Services are not available.

1970 2,979
1971 3,164
1972 3,658
1973 3,881
1974 3,990

Mr. Michael Roberts

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical practitioners are in service in England and Wales.

Mr. Moyle

The numbers of doctors employed in the National Health Service in England and Wales at 30th September 1975 are shown below. A certain number held joint appointments and are shown under more than one heading.

  • Hospital doctors–31,840 (29,730 whole-time equivalents)
  • Community health services—5,230 (2,750 whole-time equivalents)
  • General medical services—23,120.