§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many consultants were suspended from employment by health boards; how long was the average length of suspension; of those suspended how many were subsequently dismissed from their National Health Service employment; with what compensation during each of the past five years; and how many of those so dismissed have continued to work in private practice.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythInformation on suspensions is not held centrally. The Scottish Home and Health Department is only informed of decisions to dismiss consultants where the individual concerned decides to appeal to the Secretary of State against dismissal. There has been only one such case in the past five years involving a consultant and in that case the appeal was upheld. A doctor dismissed by a health board, or any other NHS employer, is still permitted to undertake medical practice so long as he remains registered by the General Medical Council.