§ Mr. DonohoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what statutory procedures currently exist for pursuing a complaint against medical treatment received under the national health service; and what plans he has to amend the current statutory status of local health councils.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 5 May 1994]: My right hon. Friend has issued directions under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 and the Hospital Complaints Procedure Act 1985 requiring health boards and NHS trusts to operate procedures for investigating complaints about treatment received in hospital. The National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) (Scotland) Regulations 1992 prescribe procedures to be followed in investigating complaints where it is alleged that a general medical practitioner has failed to comply with his terms of service. The Health Service Commissioners Act 1993 empowers the Health Service Commissioner for Scotland to investigate certain types of complaints made to him where it is alleged that a person has sustained injustice or hardship as a result of treatment provided under the national health service.
There are no plans to amend the current statutory status of local health councils.