Doctors

HC Deb 05 February 1969 vol 777 cc397-9

30. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland in view of the steps taken by other countries to induce Scottish doctors to seek medical practice abroad, whether he is satisfied with the content of official information distributed to doctors; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Millan

I have issued to senior students and recent graduates in medicine in Scotland a pamphlet on Career Guidance which outlines the opportunities available in the National Health Service and other public medical services in Great Britain. If my right hon. Friend has any further suggestions to make, I should be glad to consider them.

Mr. Woodburn

Is my hon. Friend aware that a great many doctors are being misled by the propaganda about the streets of Canada and elsewhere being paved with gold, only to find when they get there that they cannot see it for snow and ice? Would it not be advisable for some of the facts about conditions in Canada and elsewhere, where doctors go under a misapprehension, to be brought to the notice of Scottish doctors so that they are not misled?

Mr. Millan

I am not sure that it would be part of my function to indulge in anti-Canadian propaganda. We must make the National Health Service in this country as attractive as we can to our doctors, and that is what we are working very hard on at the moment.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that one of the best steps that he could take to make the National Health Service more attractive to doctors in Scotland is to ensure that the level of taxation imposed on them compares more favourably with the levels they receive in places like Canada?

Mr. Millan

I do not think that doctors are in any special position concerning taxation compared with other professions, or, indeed, with the rest of us.

31. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps have been taken by his Department to advise doctors in Scotland about the proposals for reorganising the National Health Service and the opportunities this will give for the modern practice of medicine, in order to offset the steps taken by other countries to seek for recruits from Scotland for their medical services.

Mr. Ross

The Green Paper was widely publicised when it was issued in December, and the British Medical Association sent copies to all doctors in Scotland. In the further consultations now to take place, the potential benefits for medical practice will be fully discussed.

Mr. Woodburn

Is my right hon. Friend aware that general practitioners feel that the development on one side of the local authority services and on the other the diagnostic services of the hospitals is gradually squeezing them into a position where they are not able to practise medicine in the way that they would like? Will he ensure that as soon as possible general practitioners get an opportunity of access both to local authority facilities and to those of the hospitals?

Mr. Ross

I think that what we want to ensure in any reorganisation is that valuable, scarce and expensive skills are properly used. It is too early yet to say what kind of reception our Green Paper will have. But my right hon. Friend will remember that we preceded this with a certain amount of consultation, and I expect very informed discussions will arise.