§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the ratio of community physicians per 1,000 of population in each of the Northern Ireland health board areas; and how these figures compare with provision in Scotland, England and Wales.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information in respect of each of the four health and social services boards is as follows:
Ratio per 1,000 of the population Eastern .0077 Northern .0104 Southern .0105 Western .0077 The ratio in England and Wales is .0063 and in Scotland .027.
§ Mr. Humeasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why senior registrars in community medicine from Northern Ireland have to seek higher specialty training in England.
§ Mr. Chris PattenHigher specialty training in community medicine for senior registrars is in fact available in Northern Ireland and there are at present six approved senior registrar posts.