§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what response he has made to requests from local community health councils that they be consulted by family practitioner committees when there are impending threats of closures to branch surgeries by general practitioners, so that local opinion can be ascertained and given full recognition.
§ Dr. VaughanMy response to such a request would be that closures are essentially matters for local consideration. In reaching its decision, I would expect the family practitioner comittee to take full account of any local views, including those of the community health council.