§ 19. Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to recruit suitably trained doctors to carry out the expanded domiciliary family planning service.
§ Sir K. JosephAs to training, I am considering, in conjunction with the various professions concerned, the question of what further needs for training in family planning there may be for all the staff who will be involved in the expanded service. Extra financial provision has been made for training in family planning, and the provision of adequate facilities is high on my list of priorities.
Recruitment of staff, suitably trained, is a matter of local selection.
§ Mrs. ShortI thank the right hon. Gentleman for that comprehensive reply. May I remind him that a large number of practising general practitioners have had no training in birth-control techniques and that the need for in-service training is urgent? Will he see that this is carried out with the least possible delay?
§ Sir K. JosephMedical education is not for me but I am sure that those concerned will have noted the hon. Lady's remarks.
§ Dr. StuttafordDoes my right hon. Friend agree that this is an essential part of good family practice and that there will always be a weakness in good family practitioners until the family practitioner service is selected on merit and vocation instead of on academic ability? As long as we recruit doctors entirely on academic ability, there will be weaknesses in the family practitioner service.
§ Sir K. JosephMy hon. Friend should know that the person holding my office has no control whatsoever over medical education. I hope that he will write to those concerned giving his views.