§ Dame Jill Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to improve administrative procedures governing suspensions of hospital doctors by regional health authorities.
§ Mr. FowlerThese procedures and other similar procedures affecting doctors and dentists need improvement. They take too much time and cost too much money. The simplest case may take over a year and in some cases doctors are suspended for five years and more. We have agreed to set up a joint working party between the profession and the health departments to recommend improvements in the disciplinary procedures. The working party will also involve senior representatives from regional health authorities. The aim is to achieve procedures which command the confidence of the profession, health authorities and the public. I am asking the working party to complete their work by the end of the year.