§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total remuneration paid for each year since 1971–72 including estimated figures for 1982–83, to each of the following National Health Service contractors in Scotland, (a) doctors, (b) dentists, (c) chemists, (d) ophthalmic opticians and (e) dispensing opticians.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe information is as follows: 461W
Doctors Dentists Chemists Ophthalmic Opticians £ million £million £million £million £million 1971–72 17.287 10.089 23.344 2.322 1972–73 18.573 10.839 28.777 2.455 1973–74 19.908 11.943 29.620 2.723 1974–75 22.212 14.350 35.678 3.483 1975–76 30.333 19.576 46.839 5.964 1976–77 33.874 21.272 60.127 6.320 1977–78 35.338 21.922 72.756 6.623 1978–79 39.540 25.232 85.467 7.341 1979–80 48.116 31.762 95.677 8.799 1980–81 63.320 38.017 118.679 9.989 1981–82* 72.334 42.090 134.936 12.351 1982–83† 79.856 46.485 153.920 14.022 * Provisional
† Estimated
The remuneration of dispensing opticians cannot be identified separately from that of ophthalmic opticians.
Doctors are remunerated on a capitation and item of service basis. They are reimbursed separately for the costs of ancillary staff and practice accommodation.
Dentists are remunerated on an item of service basis which includes reimbursement of the cost of supplies used in dental treatment.
Chemists are remunerated on an item of service basis which includes reimbursement of the cost of drugs or appliances supplied, and includes allowances for overheads and dispensing.
Ophthalmic opticians are remunerated on an item of service basis, which includes reimbursement of the cost of supplies, and of repair of glasses, and includes fees for sight tests and dispensing.
The figures given above include charges paid by patients and retained by contractors.