HC Deb 25 November 1996 vol 286 cc113-4W
Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the general practitioner fundholding surpluses for each health district in the north west of England. [2942]

Mr. Malone

The latest information available relates to 1994–95 and copies of the tables have been placed in the Library.

Ms Jowell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many general practitioners were employed by NHS trusts on 1 September; and which trusts employed them. [4166]

Mr. Malone

The information requested is not held centrally.

Ms Jowell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proposals he has to ensure that sufficient numbers of general practitioners are recruited. [4170]

Mr. Malone

There are more general practitioners practising now than ever before, up from 24,035 at October 1995 to 26,830 at March 1996. We intend to publish proposals at the end of the year which will ensure that general practice continues to be an attractive option for doctors.

Ms Jowell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will make a statement on the amount of savings accrued in the budgets of fundholding general practitioners for each year of the scheme's operation; [4171]

(2) if he will make a statement on the total overspends incurred by fundholding general practitioners in each year of the scheme's operation. [4172]

Mr. Malone

In each year of the scheme, fundholding general practitioners in aggregate have made efficiency savings of between 3 and 4 per cent., and overspends normally below 1 per cent. of budgets set. GP fundholder savings are available to be reinvested for the benefits of patients in accordance with regulations.

Ms Jowell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vacancies there were for general practitioners in each health authority area in England on 1 September and on the same date in each year since 1990. [4232]

Mr. Malone

The information requested will be placed in the Library.

Ms Jowell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many single-handed general practitioners were practising per health authority in(a) 1994–95, (b) 1995–96 and (c) 1996–97. [4186]

Mr. Malone

The available information will be placed in the Library.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of people allocated to a general practitioner in London; what is the highest and lowest number; and what was the equivalent figure for 1994 and 1995. [5189]

Mr. Malone

Information is not available centrally about patients allocated to general practitioners by health authorities.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of London NHS users who did not have access to a general practitioner(a) in 1994, (b) in 1995 and (c) at the latest available date; and what research his Department has (i) commissioned and (ii) evaluated in this area. [5166]

Mr. Malone

All patients have the right to be registered with a general practitioner and can expect their local health authority to find a general practitioner within two working days.

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