HC Deb 19 December 1994 vol 251 cc992-3W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the family health services appeal unit takes to identify practitioners who have persistently been found in breach of the terms of service.

Mr. Malone

The family health services appeal unit maintains records of practitioners who have been found in breach of their terms of service. The director of the unit may take these into account when exercising his functions under the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what performance standards the family health services appeal unit has.

Mr. Malone

The family health services appeals unit has drawn up internal performance standards for appeals. These standards will be printed in the unit's annual report which is due to be published soon.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what is the average time taken by the family health services appeal unit since 1 April 1992 from time of receipt of request, to reach a decision concerning waiving of time limits;

(2) what is the average time taken by the family health services appeal unit since 1 April 1992 to arrange an appeal hearing, from the time of receipt of appeal, when a practitioner has appealed against a withholding;

(3) what is the average time taken by the family health services appeal unit since 1 April 1992 to arrange an appeal hearing from time of receipt of appeal, when the appeal is made by the complainant;

(4) what is the average time taken by the family health services appeal unit since 1 April 1992 to notify the result of an appeal hearing after the date of the hearing;

(5) what is the average time since 1 April 1992 taken by the family health services appeal unit, from the time of appeal, to reach a decision concerning a breach of the terms of service.

Mr. Malone

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the family health services appeal unit uses the information it receives to monitor and improve services.

Mr. Malone

I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Health gave him on 18 July,Official Report, column 170.