HC Deb 01 February 1977 vol 925 c83W
Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the number of general practitioners and dentists in the Walsall area; and how many area health authorities have a worse ratio of general practitioners and dentists per 1,000 of the population.

Mr. Moyle

In 18 other areas in England, at 1st October 1975 the ratio of general medical practitioners to population was no better than in Walsall: the corresponding ratio for general dental practitioners was no better in seven other areas.

I am not satisfied with the numbers in Walsall. There are several schemes to improve the distribution of doctors. In some other areas experimental schemes are under way to test a possible means of attracting dentists to places where there is a shortage.

Mr. George

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the ratio of general practitioners and dentists to patients (a) in the area covered by the Walsall Area Health Authority, (b) the average for the West Midlands Regional Health Authority and (c) the average for England and Wales.

Mr. Moyle

The numbers were as follows in 1975:

Doctors per 100,000* Dentists per 100,000†
England and Wales 44 24
West Midlands Regional Health Authority 42 19
Walsall 39 14
* Doctors providing a full range of general medical services.
† Dentists practising in the general dental service.