§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will consider including as a further national charter standard in the patients charter to ensure continuity of care that health authorities should require that when a patient has a series of out-patient appointments, then whenever possible the same doctor should attend the patient; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvillePatients attending hospital out-patient clinics are under the care of a named consultant who provides continuity of care. The consultant oversees a team of doctors, including junior doctors on rotation, and is responsible for ensuring that they undertake work within their competence.