To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to introduce measures to raise the profile of family planning clinics and GP surgeries among older women as a source of contraceptive advice; [11329](2) if he will provide figures, by age, of the total numbers and the percentages of the age group of women attending family planning clinics and GP surgeries for contraceptive advice for each year from 1990 to the present. [11327]
The Department of Health has published a booklet "Your Health: A Guide to Services for Women". The booklet offers advice and information on a wide range of health issues, including family planning services and contraception. Copies have been placed in the Library.
The contraceptive education service is provided by the Family Planning Association under contract to the Department of Health. The CES aims to raise awareness and understanding among the general public including women of all ages about contraceptive methods and family planning services.
Local health authorities are responsible for providing family planning services that meet the needs of the population they serve. Services should be targeted to meet the needs of particular client groups, especially those among whom the take-up of family planning services is lowest. In meeting local need, commissioners and providers need to ensure that information on the full range of family planning services is readily available.
| align="center">Net ingredient cost of prescriptions dispensed by (a) dispensing doctors; (b) community pharmacists and appliance contractors; and (c) prescriptions submitted by prescribing doctors for items personally administered, 1992 to 1996. | |||||
England
| |||||
| align="center">Net Ingredient cost (£ million) | |||||
1992
| 1993
| 1994
| 1995
| 1996
| |
| Dispensing doctors | 185.0 | 207.9 | 226.3 | 243.7 | 267.6 |
| Community pharmacist and appliance contractors | 2,637.3 | 2,902.0 | 3,114.3 | 3,361.6 | 3,653.3 |
| Items personally administered by prescribing doctors | 34.4 | 47.7 | 62.4 | 73.8 | 84.9 |
| Overall total | 2,856.7 | 3,157.6 | 3,403.0 | 3,679.2 | 4,005.8 |
1. The information is from the Prescription Pricing Authority PD1 series of forms.
2. The net ingredient cost is the basic cost before discount and excludes dispensing costs and fees.
3. The figures for dispensing doctors include those items personally administered by dispensing doctors.