Mr. GamierTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she will discuss with representatives of family doctors ways of maintaining 24-hour general practitioner cover.
§ Dr MawhinneyWe have already said that we should be prepared to look constructively with representatives of the medical profession at the scope for developing improved or more flexible arrangements for out-of-hours cover. But we would need to be clearly satisfied that any proposals for change would safeguard and, if possible, improve the services available to patients.