HC Deb 10 February 1999 vol 325 cc221-2W
Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of practising physicians are general practitioners. [70080]

Mr. Denham

There were 27,100 general practitioners (unrestricted principals) as at 1 October 1997. This figure was 31 per cent. of the total number of doctors employed in the National Health Service.

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many(a) doctors' and (b) general practitioners' posts are unfilled in (i) England and (ii) Norfolk. [70081]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is not available.

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average age of retirement for general practitioners was in(a) 1980, (b) 1990 and (c) 1998; and if he will make a statement. [70083]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is not available centrally.

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what was the average number of working days lost per(a) doctor and (b) general practitioner for psycholkgical reasons in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998; and if he will make a statement, [70084]

(2) what was the average number of working days lost per (a) doctor and (b) general practitioner for medical reasons in (i) 1980, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1997 and (iv) 1998; and if he will make a statement. [70085]

Mr. Denham

The information requested is not collected centralhy. A survey carried out in National Health Service trusts in August 1998 identified the sickness trusts in August 1998 identified the sickness absence rates for medical and dental staff at 1.6 per cent. The survey did not distinguish between medical and psychological illness.