§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will draw up a code of practice with dentists and opticians to ensure National Health Service consumers are clearly made aware when they are obtaining treatment and purchasing commodities not covered by the National Health Service.
§ Sir George YoungNo. It is for the professions to draw up codes of practice for their members. The General Dental Council in its notice for the guidance of552W dentists has stated its view that it is the responsibility of the dentist to bring to the attention of the patient the nature of the contract—that is, whether he has been accepted to receive treatment under the NHS or privately.
The General Optical Council has not found it necessary to issue similar guidance, but the Association of Optical Practitioners has advised its members that patients should be clearly told what glasses are available under the NHS.