HC Deb 10 December 1971 vol 827 c415W
Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will seek powers to bring the emergency service operated voluntarily by doctors in some parts of the country within the National Health Service;

(2) whether he will make available to doctors operating emergency accident services funds for capital equipment.

Sir K. Joseph

I remain convinced that the first concern is to provide swift and speedy conveyance of road accident cases to centres staffed and equipped to provide effective treatment. To secure that the patients are properly cared for at the scene of the accident and in transit, the training of ambulance personnel has been improved in recent years and further improvement is in prospect. This appears to be the most effective approach. Emergency schemes operated by doctors must vary according to circumstances and are more appropriately run on a voluntary basis.