§ 42. Mr. K. Robinsonasked the Minister of Health if he has completed discussions with the medical profession about the outstanding recommendations of the Cranbrook Report and, in particular, those relating to the obstetric list and to the establishment of maternity services liaison committees; and what decisions he has reached.
§ Mr. PowellYes, Sir, apart from a few minor points. Uniform criteria for admission to the obstetric list were introduced in January, 1961, and it was announced that the experience of doctors already on the list would be reviewed after five years. Hospital authorities were asked in July, 1959 to take the initiative in establishing maternity services liaison committees.
§ Mr. RobinsonDoes the Minister know that many hospitals, including several of the London teaching hospitals, have not yet set up these committees, and some of the committees which have been set up are functioning far from satisfactorily? Will he look into this? Further, may we now take it that, subject to the arrangement he announced today, which is to come into force, he fully accepts the recommendations of the Cranbrook Committee about the obstetric list?
§ Mr. PowellThe criteria which have been agreed with the professions are broadly, though not exactly, in line with the recommendations of the Cranbrook Report. They are founded upon them and they reflect them. I will certainly look at the functioning of the liaison committees which have been set up. My information is that the majority of hospital management committees have them.