We discuss fully elsewhere the difficulties in which the Insurance
Commissioners have found themselves placed with regard to filling the doctors' panels, which were nominally closed on December 31st, but which are actually still open in many places. The number of doctors required for working the Act has been estimated by the British Medical Associa- tion at between eight and ten thousand, and it is officially stated that that number has been obtained. These figures, however, give no idea of the most singular feature of the situation, namely, the definite geographical lines which appear to govern the facts. In general it may be said that in Wales and Scotland, the North of England, Yorkshire, and the Midlands there is an almost unanimous acceptance of the Government's terms by the doctors. On the other hand, in Lancashire and in the South of England the reverse is the case. There are, of course, exceptions in both cases, and in particular the London panels seem likely to be filled. But it is quite clear that in many parts of the country the medical service will be inadequate in strength.
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