§ 81. Mr. McCannasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the difficulties small hospitals are having to recruit sufficient resident medical and surgical staff; what consideration he has given to seconding Service medical personnel to these hospitals in order that they may continue to provide a service to the public; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI am aware that such difficulties exist and they are being examined by the Working Party on Hospital Medical Staffing Structure. The needs of the Services rule out the secondment of Service doctors on any significant scale, but the arrangements for co-operation between the Service medical authorities and those of the National Health Service should ensure that full advantage is taken of any help that can be made available from Service sources.