§ Mr. Cordleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will issue a circular to all hospital consultants, doctors, matrons and nursing sisters employed by the National Health Service, drawing their attention to the need to notify the Department of Employment's local disablement resettlement officer of the names and addresses of all patients who might require his assistance.
§ Mr. Alec JonesSuch a circular would be inappropriate since the point at which a patient should be referred to a disablement resettlement officer is a matter for the judgment of the consultant concerned. Both my Department and that of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment recognise the need to provide facilities whereby this referral may be made as soon as possible during treatment, and pilot schemes are in operation to determine the best methods of achieving this.