HC Deb 19 January 1977 vol 924 c242W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of the average general practitioner's total practice income from the NHS is accounted for, respectively by: (a) maternity medical fees, (b) dispensing, (c) night visits and (d) contraceptive services.

Mr. Harry Ewing

On the basis of the provisional total of payments to practitioners in the year 1975–76 for the provision of general medical services under the National Health Service in Scotland, the various categories of fees specified accounted for the percentage indicated below:

per cent.
(a) Maternity Fees 3.40
(b) Dispensing see below
(c) Night Visits 0.93
(d) Contraceptive Fees 0.89*
* Part-year: the provision by general practitioners of contraceptive services under the National Health Service was introduced on 1st July 1975.

Payments to doctors for dispensing are made as part of the provision of pharmaceutical services. Only 186 doctors are involved—that is, less than 7 per cent. of the total number of principals practising in Scotland—and the average amount paid to them in 1975–76 in respect of dispensing fees was £1,323.