Written question asked by Derek Twigg (Labour) on Thursday, 5 April 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 May 2001. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average number of hours worked per week by general practitioners in England and Wales was in (a) 1971, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000. Inc table and fact that information is not available in format requested.

Answer: Mr. Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average number of hours worked per week by general practitioners in England and Wales was in (a) 1971, (b) 1990 and (c) 2000. [157882] Mr. Denham: [holding answer 10 April 2001]: The only data on hours worked by general practitioners are from the general medical practitioners (GMP) workload surveys. One was carried out in 1989-90. Details in the table show hours worked on general medical service (GMS) and non-GMS duties. The information is for Great Britain and is not available for England and Wales only. Average{1} number of hours worked per week by general medical practitioners by type of activity, 1989-90 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Hours GMS and non-GMS duties 41.99 of which: GMS duties 37.01 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Average is calculated whether or not the GMPs were involved in the activity in their recording week. Source: GMP workload survey 1989-90

Secondary information