§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many full-time equivalent practice-based general practitioners there have been in London in each of the past five years. [133723]
§ Mr. HuttonThe number of full-time equivalent practice-based general practitioners in London in the last five years is shown in the table.
General medical practitioners: in London Strategic Health Authorities; October 1997 to June 2003 All GPs (excluding GP retainers) 1 September 1997 4,225 September 1998 4,212 September 1999 4,198 September 2000 4,217 September 2001 4,212 September 2002 4,288 June 2003 4,399 1 Practitioners (excluding GP Retainers) include GMS Unrestricted Principals, PMS Contracted GPs, PMS Salaried GPs, Restricted Principals, Assistants, GP Registrars, Salaried Doctors (Para 52 SFA) and PMS Other. Whole-time equivalents are estimated based on results from the 1992–93 GMP Workload Survey Full time = wte, Half time = 0.6 wte, Job share = 0.65 wte and three-quarter time = 0.69 wte. 1997 to 1999 data is as at 1 October each year. Source:
Department of Health General & Personal Medical Services Statistics.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered general practitioners will be involved in out-of-hours services in London after the implementation of the GP contract; and how many were involved under the old arrangements. [133735]
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§ Mr. HuttonUnder the current national general medical services (GM S) contract, all general practitioners are responsible for the care of their registered patients for 24 hours each day of the week. Regulations now allow GPs to transfer this responsibility during the out-of-hours period to accredited providers or to delegate it to other GPs. Under the new GMS contract, which is to be introduced from April 2004, GPs will be able to opt out completely from responsibility for care during the out-of-hours period. Primary care trusts are currently working with their local GPs to establish how many intend to exercise this option.