§ 2. Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will seek to place the onus on National Health Service practitioners to advise patients whether or not they are receiving treatment under the National Health Service, rather than the onus being on the patient to find out what sort of treatment he is receiving, as at present.
§ The Minister for Health (Dr. Gerard Vaughan)The ethical onus is already on the practitioner. It is a fundamental part of good professional conduct that when a patient seeks treatment he knows the basis on which it is being given.
§ Mr. KnoxShould not something more than an ethical onus be placed on the practitioner? Is not my hon. Friend aware that the present situation is very unfair to many patients, particularly those seeking emergency treatment?
§ Dr. VaughanI am aware that recently one of my hon. Friend's constituents had a special problem in an emergency. The present system has been working reasonably well for a long time. However, I undertake to look into the matter again with the General Dental Council and the British Dental Association.
§ Mr. Robert AtkinsWhen will the regulations proposed by the DHSS, which concern patients who receive treatment from National Health Service practitioners, but who are not entitled to free treatment—such as those visiting from abroad—come into effect? It should be borne in mind that the tourist season is upon us.
§ Dr. VaughanI expect the regulations to come in in October.