HC Deb 01 February 1965 vol 705 cc196-7W
Dr. David Kerr

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to improve the position of the general practitioner.

Mr. K. Robinson

A number of measures are described in my replies today to the right hon. Member for Thirsk and Malton (Mr. Turton) and my hon. Friend the Member of Willesden, East (Mr. Freeson). Other steps are:—

  1. 1. Information is to be collected with a view to devising a scheme of direct payments towards outgoings on practice premises and a scheme for Exchequer guarantees of loans for the provision of practice premises is also to be worked out.
  2. 2. In consultation with the profession I am acting on the recommendations 197 of the Working Party on General Practice about publicity on ways in which patients can help doctors make the best use of their time.
  3. 3. My Department has proposed to the profession ways of implementing certain other recommendations in the commentaries already published by the Working Party and as members of the Working Party my officers are taking part in the study of other possibilities for improving family doctors' conditions of work and encouraging high standards.
  4. 4. The Government will be making a statement shortly about remuneration in the light of the advice of the independent Review Body.