HC Deb 30 January 1973 vol 849 cc371-2W
Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many complaints have been made against the several commercial deputising services now operating in London and in other large centres in relation to National Health Service doctors;

(2) how many complaints he is aware of made by patients concerning difficulties of obtaining the services of a National Health Service doctor after surgery hours.

Mr. Alison

Complaints by patients, whether formal—and so requiring investigation under prescribed procedures—or informal, are handled by the executive council concerned. My Department has no record of the total numbers or the subject matter of complaints received by executive councils.

Commercial deputising services are not directly answerable to executive councils, and any complaints involving them have to be made against the doctor on whose behalf they act.

Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what use is made of South London Deputising Services Ltd. by National Health Service doctors.

Mr. Alison

I understand that none of the executive councils in whose areas South London Deputising Services Ltd. propose to operate has yet authorised any doctors to employ this firm.