HC Deb 05 June 1990 vol 173 c582W
88. Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he last visited St. George's hospital, Tooting to discuss doctors' working hours.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has not visited St. George's hospital to discuss this matter.

On 10 April 1990 I met the representatives of health departments, the joint consultants committee, including the presidents of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons and Physicians, the British Medical Association and National Health Service management, to begin the process of identifying and implementing ways forward on the complex issue of junior doctors' hours.

A working group is to explore the main issues relating to junior doctors' hours and strategies for tackling them. They are expected to make an initial report to the ministerial group during the summer.