Written question asked by Peter Bottomley (Conservative) on Wednesday, 9 May 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 11 May 2001. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Friday, 11 May 2001 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many family doctors south of the railway in Worthing are accepting new patients other than at the direction of the health authority; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many family doctors south of the railway in Worthing are accepting new patients other than at the direction of the health authority; and if he will make a statement. [161096] Mr. Denham: At present, general practitioners' practices south of the railway line in Worthing are unable to voluntarily register new patients. West Sussex health authority is aware that there is a capacity problem in this area, since 1 April the health authority has allocated 98 patients and work is ongoing with the primary care agency to ensure all patients are registered with a GP. The health authority is currently working closely with primary care providers to provide solutions to this issue.

Secondary information