Private Medical Services (Hansard, 4 March 1994)

§ Mr. Blunkett
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the President of the Board of Trade following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report on private medical services.

§ Mr. Sackville
None.

§ Mr. Blunkett
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures exist to regulate the advertising by consultants within the private medical market; and what amendments she is considering to the regulations.

§ Dr. Mawhinney
Under the Medical Act 1983 the General Medical Council has statutory responsibility for the regulation and registration of all doctors, including those offering private medical services. The GMC's "Blue Book"—"Professional Conduct and Discipline: Fitness to Practise" contains guidance to doctors on the advertising of medical services. Failure to abide by the council's guidance may call a doctor's professional conduct. into question. The GMC keeps its policy on advertising under constant review, but we understand there are no plans to amend the guidance at present.