HC Deb 19 July 1965 vol 716 cc1091-2
11. Mr. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Health how many complaints against medical practitioners and dentists, respectively, were received in the year 1963; and in what percentage of cases it was determined that there were valid grounds for complaint.

Mr. K. Robinson

I would refer the hon. Member to Table 28 of my Department's Annual Report for 1963.

Mr. Rankin

Would my right hon. Friend give some thought to the present method of making complaints against the general practitioner? Would not he think it is fair that the person who makes a complaint should be invited to meet the local executive committee as well as the doctor?

Mr. Robinson

I think that this is very frequently done. But in any case the disciplinary machinery in the general practitioner service is one of the matters which I shall be discussing with representatives of the profession.

Mr. Pavitt

Would my right hon. Friend take the opportunity of the present discussions with the general practitioners to look at this question? Is he aware that there is a quite disproportionate anxiety among general practitioners about this procedure and that it would be most useful if, during the present negotiations, he could reach a settlement more satisfactory to them?

Mr. Robinson

This is what I shall endeavour to do.

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