§ 5. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Health if, in view of the critical national shortage of doctors, he will discuss with the British Medical Association and other interested parties the possibility of reducing the load on doctors by training a grade of assistant doctor to undertake routine medical work.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNo, sir. We must await the report of the Royal Commission on Medical Education, which is expected early next year.
§ Mr. RobertsHas any work study analysis been carried out on the work load on the general practitioner from the point of view of seeing whether part of his routine work could be passed on to other qualified people such as health visitors?
§ Mr. RobinsonA number of studies have been made, and we are also helping doctors to make better use of their time, for example by assisting general practitioners to employ ancillary help.