Access to services is a really important factor in assessing the roles of local authorities, PCTs etc in improving the quality of life for their residents.  It's such a pity that data by local authority area are not available more recently than 2005 - we can't make much use of information about large areas such as regions.

It is possible to map access to services using the Census Output Area (containing c.150 households) data available within the Rural Services Data Series. Current data is available for 2007 and I believe that the CRC will be uploading 2008 data shortly. A word of warning - this data only measures straight-line distance between population weighted centroids and nearest service. It also assumes universal car ownership. There are barriers to access to services beyond distance. Using GIS software it is possible to map where there is access to service disadvatage. All very useful when prioritising interventions.

Thanks for your help Matthew. We will be uploading the 2008 data soon.