§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what area health boards are not making funds available for the implementation of the hospital family planning service.
§ Mr. William RossA family planning service has hitherto been available in hospitals as part of the obstetric and gynaecological services. Implementation of the agreement providing for expansion of this service into the social field is presenting difficulties for health boards in the present financial situation. Discussions have taken place with the profession and further guidance will be issued to health boards shortly. Meantime no additional funds have been made available for the expansion of this service in hospitals.
§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is 365W the estimated cost of family planning services in hospitals, clinics and from general practitioners, during the current financial year.
§ Mr. William RossHitherto the family planning service in hospitals has been provided as an integrated part of the obstetric and gynaecological services; and the rate at which this service can be expanded following the recent agreement with the profession will be a matter for local decision by individual health boards. For these reasons it is not possible to give a meaningful estimate of hospital expenditure in this field. The cost in the current year of family planning services provided by clinics and by general medical practitioners is estimated at £1,400,000. In addition to that figure, the cost of drugs and appliances prescribed by doctors in this context is estimated at £890,000.