§ 28. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health how many students have now enrolled in the special courses to train as cytologists; if he will institute additional courses; and if he will make a statement.
§ 45. Mr. Fisherasked the Minister of Health if he will increase the facilities for the training of doctors in detecting cervical cancer at an early stage in its development.
§ Mr. RobinsonSixty-two places have been provided on the first series of full-time courses at the five special centres. All places are fully taken up on the courses already running at three of the centres, and full enrolment is expected at the remaining two centres starting in January. It is estimated that by the time these centres have been running for a year about 200 pathologists and technicians will have received training.
§ Mr. PavittCan my right hon. Friend explain the long delay in getting these courses started, as this information was in his Annual Report of two years ago, while the circular sent to regional hospital boards was dated 22nd September, 1964? As his right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport is spending £500,000 trying to prevent road deaths between now and Christmas, will not my right hon. Friend seek to get even added support from the Exchequer to increase the number of these courses?
§ Mr. RobinsonI would rather not speculate on any question of delay, preferring to look into the future. I believe that the centres where courses are taking place will be sufficient when those who have been trained have gone back to their own regions to train others in their own departments to provide the full service at which we aim.
§ Lord BalnielAre we to understand from the right hon. Gentlemen's last answer that he is not proposing to start any more training courses beyond those already established?
§ Mr. RobinsonWe believe that the present number of formal training courses will be sufficient for our needs at present, but, of course, we shall keep a close watch on the situation.