HC Deb 25 March 1963 vol 674 cc936-7
21. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health what assessment of the merits and demerits of an appointments system in general practice has been made by his Department; and if he will provide incentives for family doctors to see patients by appointment.

Mr. Powell

I agree with the views of the 1954 Committee of the Central Health Services Council on general practice.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he has not taken us very much further than 1954? As the situation is at the moment, there is a positive disincentive to doctors to have an appointments system in general practice because the expense factor weighs against this kind of approach? Will the Minister reconsider this matter with a view to saving time of patients and encouraging good general practice?

Mr. Powell

The matter has gone considerably further since 1954 because many practices have successfully introduced appointments systems since then, and I regard the improvement in the service which follows as the major incentive in this matter.

Sir H. Harrison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the better features of the National Health Scheme is the joining together of family doctors in partnership, and where they have got that partnership I find that at least one of the partners is usually prepared to give appointments?

Mr. K. Robinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that we learn from the tape that the Prime Minister is going to announce, in answer to a Written Question this afternoon, a substantial increase in doctors' salaries? In negotiating this increase with the profession, will he consider the point raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Pavitt) about the present method of allocating practice expenses, which militates against those doctors who want to give a high standard of service to their patients?

Mr. Powell

I think we had better await the terms of the report.

Mr. Pavitt

Has the Minister any knowledge of the actual number of practices that are using an appointments system? Has his Ministry made a complete examination of how this has worked out in practice? Is he issuing any advice to other group practices or, as the hon. and gallant Member for Eye (Sir H. Harrison) said, partnerships, which would like to employ this system?

Mr. Powell

I am sure that it is widely known that this is favoured. Indeed, this was indicated when the 1954 Report was issued. I have not precise figures, but it has been and is spreading in the National Health Service.

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