HC Deb 18 July 1994 vol 247 cc17-8W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the family health services appeal unit uses the information it receives through identifying practitioners who have persistently been found to be in breach of the terms of service to monitor and improve services.

Dr. Mawhinney

Decisions of the director of the family health services appeal unit are notified to family health services authorities who are responsible for monitoring and improving family health services in their localities. The director may also inform the relevant professional regulatory body of his decision in a particularly serious case.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average time since 1 April 1992 taken by the family health services appeal unit(a) from the time of appeal to reach a decision concerning a breach of the terms of service, (b) from the time of the receipt of the request to reach a decision concerning waiving of time limits, (c)to arrange an appeal hearing from the time of receipt of appeal, when the appeal is made by the complainant, (d) to arrange an appeal hearing, from the time of receipt of appeal, when a practitioner has appealed against a withholding and (e) to notify the result of an appeal hearing, after the date of the hearing.

Dr. Mawhinney

This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Corbyn

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

Dr. Mawhinney

Officials are discussing the development of performance standards with the new director of the unit.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the family health services appeal unit's most recent annual report was made available to the public.

Dr. Mawhinney

In March 1994.