NHS GP Surgeries: Purchase by US Companies Debate
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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
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NHS GP Surgeries: Purchase by US Companies
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts(1 year, 5 months ago)
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Lord Markham (Con)
The noble Lord is absolutely correct that it is all about supply and the quality of that supply. That is why, again, I am pleased to say that we have a record number of GPs in training. We can learn from innovative measures. I have been looking at an advanced draft of the workforce plan. The number of doctors in the most advanced medical systems in the world—those of Japan and the US—is lower per head of population than here, but the number of nurses is higher. They have altered their staff mix to get the optimum performance, and we should be open to these innovative approaches to get the best output.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)
My Lords, the noble Lord referred to the workforce plan. Can he assure me that, when published, it will be fully funded?
Lord Markham (Con)
This is absolutely the work that the Treasury is doing at the moment. Noble Lords have asked, many a time, when it is coming out. I think people will understand that part of the delay is making sure that, when the plan does come out, it really does work.