HC Deb 16 March 1971 vol 813 c263W
29. Mr. Conlan

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to arrange for the appointment of additional medical assistants to hospital casualty departments.

Mr. Alison

The improvement of the accident and emergency services requires increased participation by consultants, and medical assistant posts cannot be an adequate substitute for this. Proposals for such posts put forward by hospital authorities are nevertheless considered as possible exceptions to the general moratorium on the creation of new posts in this grade.