HC Deb 26 June 1979 vol 969 cc279-80
16. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has reached agreement with the British Medical Association on the terms of a new contract for general practitioners; and, in particular, if he will make a statement on the provision of casualty services by general practitioners.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

Yes, Sir. The revised arrangements for the remuneration of general practitioners who treat patients on their own responsibility in hospitals cover both in-patient and casualty services.

Mr. Miller

Is my right hon. Friend aware that no casualty service has operated in Redditch for more than two years as a result of the dispute between the general practitioners and the area health authority over whether they should be classified as clinical assistants or placed in a different category? Does he realise that the matter is crucially dependent on the results of this contract?

Mr. Jenkin

I hope to write to health authorities during July to give them the full details of the new agreement and its implementation. It is a little early for me to say whether this will result immediately in an improvement in emergency and casualty facilities in my hon. Friend's constituency, but we certainly hope that it will.