§ 32. Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the personal status of the senior hospital medical officer grade in Scotland will be reviewed.
§ Mr. J. StuartMy Department is discussing with the medical profession in Scotland whether the present structure of the specialist service should be modified. For this reason no separate review of the grading of individual senior hospital medical officers is contemplated meanwhile. Such officers, are, of course, free to apply for any vacant consultant posts that are advertised.
§ Lord Malcolm Douglas-HamiltonIs my right hon. Friend aware that on 31st July this year the Ministry of Health issued instructions to the boards of governors and the regional hospital boards in England reviewing the status of the officers, and is it intended that the Department of Health for Scotland will issue similar instructions to Scottish regional hospital boards?
§ Mr. StuartAll I can say in answer to my hon. Friend is that I had better await the report of the medical authorities on this subject.