§ 16. Mr. Woodburnasked the First Lord of the Admiralty what minimum of training is required for orderlies who dispense medicines; and what steps are taken to prevent the handling of dangerous drugs by untrained personnel?
§ The Civil Lord of the Admiralty (Captain Pilkington)All sick berth ratings are given instruction in dispensing as one of the subjects taken in a 20 weeks' course on entry and also subsequently in refresher courses. It is the normal practice for senior ratings to be placed on dispensing duties. As regards the handling 1037 of dangerous drugs, the only personnel to have the care and dispensing of such drugs in H.M. ships and Naval Establishments are medical officers and pharmacists, in compliance with the Dangerous Drugs Act.
§ Mr. MesserDoes this mean that unqualified people are dispensing medicines?
§ Captain PilkingtonNo, Sir.