§ Mr. William Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will investigate the possibility of setting up a national accident service;
(2) what he estimates to be the cost of a national accident service.
§ Sir K. JosephThe Government's proposals for National Health Service reorganisation will have the effect of unifying the various branches of the Service which deal with accidents. At present regional hospital boards, in consultation with boards of governors, are responsible for the planning of the accident services in their areas and for the implementation of the plans in co-ordination with the ambulance service. The detailed organisation and the rôle of general practitioners may vary according to local circumstances. All these services form part of general National Health Service provision and I do not have separate information on which a cost estimate could be based.