HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 cc184-5WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath of 10 July (WA72), what is the number of doctors per capita in the United Kingdom, compared with the number of doctors per capita in France. [HL366]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

Figures published by the Organisation of Economic Corporation and Development show that the number of doctors per capita in the United Kingdom in 1998 was 1.7 per 1,000 head of population and that the number of doctors per capita in France was 3.0 per 1,000 head of population.

These figures should be interpreted with caution, as different countries calculate the figures in different ways. The UK figures include only those doctors working in the National Health Service. Most other countries include all doctors entitled to practise. Figures for France include all active doctors, including some doctors without a medical practice.