HC Deb 01 February 1965 vol 705 cc717-8
41. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue instructions to local executive councils that where any general practitioner applies to discharge from his list a block of patients more than 20 in number, his subsequent remuneration shall be adjusted to take effect from the date on which the notification was received.

Mr. K. Robinson

This would require amendment of the regulations which prescribe the way in which a practitioner's fees are to be calculated. If there were evidence that the present arrangements were working against the public interest I should, of course, wish to reconsider them with the profession.

Mr. Pavitt

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is an idea being canvassed that general practitioners will go on strike painlessly for a period of 12 weeks because, by the time they have taken people off their lists, the time for payment will come round again? Will he bear in mind, in his negotiations with the general practitioners, that this threat is rather empty and need not be taken into consideration?

Mr. Robinson

I am aware of the proposals referred to by my hon. Friend. Threats to withdraw services, even partially, are not the best ways of making progress and improving the standards of general practice. I am glad to see that those who speak for the majority of the profession appear to agree with this.

42. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health if every general practitioner in contract with the National Health Service bound to treat any person who may have been excluded from another doctor's list; and for what period this obligation must be accepted, even if such a person is not accepted permanently.

Mr. K. Robinson

A doctor who contracts to provide general medical service under the National Health Service undertakes to give any treatment that may be required by a patient who applies for acceptance on his list, until that patient is accepted by or assigned to another doctor. He also undertakes to provide treatment in emergencies, if summoned in the absence of a patient's own doctor or his deputy.

Mr. Pavitt

Does not that Answer provide again the answer to any question of the withdrawal by practitioners from the Service being a sanction against the Minister of Health because, in any case, they will still have to give their services to their patients, which makes their strike threat entirely ridiculous?

Mr. Kershaw

Will the Minister make sure that he does not single out one profession or occupation for threatening to strike, and will he draw the attention of other parts of the country, including the dockers, to this undesirable practice?

Mr. Robinson

I did not quite hear the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question, but I am certainly not singling out any profession. I am answering the Question put by my hon. Friend.