HC Deb 10 May 1965 vol 712 cc29-30
42. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health if he has yet completed his consideration of the Report of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee, E/155/1, on the standardisation of medical records; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)

The Report will be published shortly, and I shall be asking hospitals to adopt its recommendations.

Mr. Pavitt

When my right hon. Friend is considering the standardisation of hospital records, will he examine the possibility of having patients' records in the form of an identity card when the patient is suffering from a complaint which may be difficult to treat? If such a person is involved in an accident, he may be in danger from there being no knowledge of what previous treatment he has been given.

Mr. Robinson

I will certainly consider what my hon. Friend has suggested. It is a fact that the Report favours standardisation of hospital medical records and a number of its specific recommendations are directed to that end. Perhaps I could take this opportunity of thanking the members of the Sub-Committee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee for the hard work and the enthusiasm which went into the production of this Report.