HC Deb 31 May 1965 vol 713 cc1164-5
9. Mr. Costain

asked the Minister of Health what consultations he has had with the British Medical Association, regarding the use of personal medical cards with emergency information in case of accidents; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Loughlin

My Department, in consultation with the British Medical Association, has arranged for the trial use of personal medical record cards in 20 practices.

Mr. Costain

Dose the hon. Gentleman accept that medical cards are a help and could save life in the event of an accident? Will he do all he can to encourage the general public to carry such forms?

Mr. Loughlin

We believe—that is the operative term—that medical cards can be of immense value in certain circumstances. We have trials in operation at present, some in Birmingham and some in Norwich, and we are mixing them as between urban and rural districts. We hope to receive the reports in the summer, and then the medical practitioners will tell us whether the cards have real value or not.