HC Deb 20 March 1978 vol 946 cc444-5W
Mr. Rose

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the quality of life indicators in respect of death rate, infant mortality and ratio of persons to doctors showing the North-West to be the worst region in England and Wales in 1974 have undergone any significant change in the latest available figures.

Mr. Moyle

Between 1974 and 1976—the last year for which figures are available—there were some improvements in the standardised mortality ratios—SMRs—and the infant mortality rate in the area covered by the North-Western Regional Health Authority. The relevant figures were:

North-western Regional Health Authority
1974 1976
Death rate:
SMR:
Males 111 111
Females 112 109
Infant mortality rate:
Deaths under one year per thousand live births 19.7 15.7

The ratio of persons to doctors in the North-Western Regional Health Authority was not the worst m England and Wales for the North-Western Regional Health in 1974—neither was it in 1976. Figures

1974 1976
Hospital doctors per 100,000 population 53.0 59.9
Community doctors per 100,000 population 5.5 6.0
General medical practitioner list size 2,466 2,433