§ 1. Dr. D. Johnsonasked the Minister of Health whether he will sanction the use of Form E.C.10A by general practitioners in England and Wales to enable them to obtain supplies of dressings for emergency use in their surgeries.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)So far this has not proved practicable, but I will consider the matter further when I have the report of the Committee on the Cost of Prescribing.
§ Dr. JohnsonI thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his reply. Does not he agree that this difficulty in getting dressings at doctors' surgeries is a contributory factor to the number of unnecessary attendances at hospitals for minor accidents? Secondly, is he aware that the use of this form works satisfactorily in Scotland?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIt is a fact that this procedure is in force in Scotland, but in that case it is a continuance of a scheme which was in force before the National Health Service came into being—which was not the case in England. I will certainly bear in mind what my hon. Friend says.