§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if she will require all national health service provider authorities and trusts to take up references on applicants for locum clinical appointments; and if she will make a statement;
(2) if she will make a statement on the arrangements whereby locum doctors are appointed in the hospital service.
§ Mr. SackvilleHealth authorities and national health service trusts are responsible for the appointment of locum552W doctors in the hospital service. There are clear guidelines from the Department, designed to ensure that locum doctors are of an adequate standard to carry out the duties required of them. These include both checks on qualifications and references from previous employers. Copies of the guidelines (EL(89)P/148 and EL(92)53) are available in the Library.