HC Deb 21 June 1977 vol 933 cc1080-2
6. Mr. MacGregor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects the report of the Review Body on hospital consultants' pay to be published.

Mr. Ennals

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced the publication and the Government's acceptance of the Seventh Report of the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration on 26th May.

Mr. MacGregor

Is the Secretary of State aware that in its report this impartial body has concluded in outspoken terms that the pay structure has become riddled with anomalies since 1975 and that there is a lack of logic in the arrangements and a serious decline in morale? Is he further aware that the confidence of doctors and hospital consultants will not be restored until this matter is put right? What steps is he taking to put it right?

Mr. Ennals

There is no question that the review body did, as the hon. Gentleman said, report that the first two stages of pay policy, together with the new contract for junior hospital doctors—agreed before the pay restraint measures—had produced anomalies. There is no question about it. I am afraid that that situation exists among many other sections of organised workers in society; it is not something that affects only doctors. In the discussions now proceeding for further arrangements we must, of course, hope that there will be greater flexibility. That point has been strongly put to me by the British Medical Association as well as by the review body.

Mr. Pavitt

Does my right hon. Friend recall that every report issued since the Pilkington Committee established the review body has been received by the doctors with acrimony? Will he now, in the light of the work of the committee formerly chaired in his Department by my right hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Dr. Owen), present to the Royal Commission evidence from his Department on the complete restructuring of the hospital medical services?

Mr. Ennals

I shall not make that promise immediately. I am very ready to have discussions with my hon. Friend about any further evidence that my Department ought to give to the Royal Commission. We have already given evidence to the Royal Commission, as my hon. Friend knows. As to the report of the review body, the profession has still not decided whether to accept the recommendations that have been made in it.

Mr. Peter Walker

Does the Secretary of State consider that the existence of this report will result in a substantial reduction in the recent massively increased waiting times to see hospital consultants? If not, what action will he take so that the massive delays that arthritic patients in this country now face before receiving treatment are reduced?

Mr. Ennals

The right hon. Gentleman is not really right. For a long time we have had an increase in waiting lists. I am happy to say that the increase now seems to have stopped and that with regard to 90 per cent. of cases, which are urgent cases, the waiting period is now starting to decrease. That is encouraging. Certainly a year or so ago it was very disturbing indeed. Relations in the Health Service are much improved and for that reason waiting lists are not as serious a problem now, although they are still serious. My Department has circulated proposals, which are now under consideration.