§ 18. Mr. Richard ShepherdTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to improve the distribution of general practitioners.
§ Mr. NewtonWe shall discuss with the Medical Practices Committee how to take forward the proposals in the White Paper "Promoting Better Health" to improve the distribution of family doctors. These include plans to give greater emphasis to local medical and social factors in deciding on where doctors are needed. The White Paper also announced that the Government will introduce a new allowance especially related to working in areas of deprivation. If necessary other changes to the remuneration system will be introduced to help doctors in sparsely populated areas.
§ 75. Mr. Ken HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to improve the training of general practitioners.
§ Mr. NewtonThe White Paper "Promoting Better Health" provides for the introduction of a new postgraduate educational allowance for general medical practitioners. We are aiming by this means to encourage all practitioners to become involved in regular programmes of education and training throughout their careers. The content of education and training is largely for the profession itself to decide; but the Department's policies for allocating funds for vocational training and continuing education are designed to foster the development and improvement of these activities.