§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress her Department is making on assessment of(a) consultants and (b) general practitioners; and what are the reasons for the differences between assessment of these two groups.
§ Dr. Mawhinney:Consultants and general practitioners are not at present subject to assessment. Assessment needs to be linked to a formal scheme of continuing medical education. These are issues explored in a consultation paper launched at a conference on 13 June chaired by the Government's Chief Medical Officer. The consultation period ends on 30 September. Copies of the document will be placed in the Library.