HC Deb 19 December 1955 vol 547 cc1640-1
10. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Health to what extent local health authorities have provided accommodation for general practitioners in premises in which their clinics are held so that the advantages of close association between services for prevention and cure may be obtained without the cost of new building.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any such cases unless the hon. Member has in mind health centres.

Mr. Hastings

Would not the hon. Lady agree with Lord Dawson of Penn that one cannot separate prevention and cure, and is it not desirable, wherever possible—and as I believe is being done to some extent in Birmingham—to associate practitioners with preventive services?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend would encourage any experimental scheme for associating general practitioners with the local health services, especially in co-ordinating antenatal work, provided it is both legally and financially justifiable. The hon. Gentleman is aware, as will ensue from a following Question, that a considerable number of experiments, which vary in their application, are being carried out on the health centre basis, and we are watching them with great interest.