HC Deb 01 April 1985 vol 76 c495W
Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those bodies funded by his Department which are engaged in combating the side effects of tranquillisers, indicating the extent of such funding; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 27 March 1985, c. 255–6]: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Holborn and St. Pancras (Mr. Dobson) on 11 February at columns 77–8.

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will establish training courses for general practitioners on the problems of the long-term use of tranquillisers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 27 March 1985, c. 255–6]: Doctors have many sources of information on the uses of tranquillisers including drug data sheets, the British National Formulary and the Open University course topics in drug therapy, which was funded by this Department. Programmes of continuing education for general medical practitioners are administered and provided by regional postgraduate deans from allocations made by the Department. The content of those courses is for the professional and educational bodies concerned and doctors themselves to determine.