HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 c47W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider methods of increasing the numbers of general practitioner posts in those areas where doctors, having completed the mandatory period of vocational training, are having difficulties in getting posts in family medical practice.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

Some 22 per cent.—314—of the practice areas delineated by the medical practices committee are classified as either "designated" or "open", and any application, by a suitable, qualified and registered doctor, for inclusion in the medical list of a family practitioner committee in any of those practice areas would be approved. Vocationally trained doctors should experience no difficulty in gaining entry to general medical practice in such areas.