§ 37. Miss Pikeasked the Minister of Health whether he will ask authorities at teaching hospitals to ensure that, wherever possible, patients in those hospitals are advised before they are medically examined by students.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonTeaching hospitals have been asked to explain their teaching activities in the leaflets they issue to patients.
§ Miss PikeDoes the right hon. Gentleman recognise that, while we realise the importance of these facilities for teaching hospitals not only in the field of teaching but also in the field of building up a good doctor-patient relationship, there is none the less great disquiet that there have been unfortunate incidents? Will he watch the matter closely, because it tends to undermine the trust and confidence that people have in the service?
§ Mr. RobinsonYes, I know that there have been cases in which disquiet has been expressed, and I have made my views known to the Teaching Hospitals Association. I am not aware of any teaching hospital which makes treatment conditional on the patient consenting to be used for teaching purposes if required, and I would certainly expect the treatment of any person who did not wish to co-operate and who required urgent treatment or special facilities to continue at the hospital in the ordinary way.