§ 24. Captain W. Elliotasked the Minister of Health, in view of the large number of inoculations and immunisations required by children which are spread over a long period, if he will recommend to local health authorities that they adopt a standard official form of record card to be given to parents to enable them to check that inoculations are given at the right time.
§ Mr. SnowMany local health authorities already issue record cards for this purpose, and this was one of the points brought to the notice of medical officers of health by my right hon. Friend's Chief Medical Officer in a recent letter aimed at improving acceptance rates.
§ Captain ElliotI appreciate that, but does not the Parliamentary Secretary think that as the number of inoculations and immunisations increases, so it would be advantageous to standardise the form to ensure that it is the same throughout the country?
§ Mr. SnowThis would be desirable but not entirely practicable since local practice and usage is not identical in all areas. My right hon. Friend is commending a new schedule which will go a long way to meet what the hon. Gentleman is suggesting.
§ Mr. Hector HughesWould my hon. Friend realise that this is a matter of particular importance to patients in remote parts of Scotland and in country districts? Will he, in making any beneficial changes, bear this in mind?
§ Mr. SnowI will always take note of anything mentioned by my hon. and learned Friend, but this matter would be more appropriately raised with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.