§ 5. Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to ensure the continuance of satisfactory deputising/on-call services for general practice.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Government remain committed to ensuring the continuance of a good quality out-of-hours service. To this end, we are currently discussing with the medical profession how best to take forward this commitment.
§ Mr. RoweMy hon. Friend is well aware of the high regard in which services such as Maidstone doctors on call —MAIDDOC—and Medway doctors on call—MEDDOC—in my constituency are held, and the anxiety with which MAIDDOC views the new formula because of the difficulties that patients have in rural areas. Can my hon. Friend offer words of comfort to the committed doctors, that they will be able to continue in those services after he has completed his negotiations?
§ Dr. MawhinneyMy hon. Friend is right, I am aware of those issues, not least because of the eloquent advocacy with which my hon. Friend expresses the concern of his constituents. I am further aware that his constituents hold the services that they receive in high regard, and those services form part of the discussions that I am having with the general medical services committee. We need to look at a number of issues, not least the use of the cash-limited funds of the family health services authority. We want to do that against a background of ensuring that decisions are devolved as closely towards the patient as possible.