Written question asked by Andrew Selous (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 April 2002. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 April 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many GP vacancies there were in Bedfordshire (a) in each of the last three years and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. - Includes figures.

Answer: Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP vacancies there were in Bedfordshire (a) in each of the last three years and (b) at the latest date for which figures are available. [47629] Jacqui Smith: The Department first carried out a survey into general practitioners recruitment, retention and vacancies in 2000. In the 2000 survey Bedfordshire health authority reported that they had 25 GP vacancies outstanding at some time in the 12 month period 1 April 1999 to 31 March 2000. In the 2001 survey they reported that they had 20 GP vacancies outstanding at some time in the 12 month period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001. Results from the 2002 survey should be available later in the year. We have no data prior to 2000.

Secondary information