§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, following his answer on 15 February to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North, why health visitors and community nursing sisters employed by the Lothian health board are not permitted to withdraw blood in a patient's home when there is no doctor present.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThis is a matter for the individual health board and the professional judgment of the doctors and nurses concerned. I understand that in the Lothian health board's area the procedure in question is regarded as primarily a medical responsibility and not appropriate for inclusion in the normal range of routine nursing duties. In cases where a more flexible approach is considered necessary, special arrangements may be agreed by both doctor and nurse.
§ Mr. Alexander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, following his 91W answer on 15 February to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, North, why nursing sisters employed by the Lothian health board were not allowed to administer influenza vaccine to elderly patients in their homes in the autumn of 1978, as part of a preventive medicine programme.
§ Mr. Harry EwingThis is a matter for the health board. Administration of influenza vaccine is usually prescribed for persons at special risk, for example, the elderly with chronic pulmonary, renal or heart disease. In the board's view it is appropriate that a doctor should examine such patients and be readily available during the administration of the vaccine.