§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will take steps to ensure that patients struck off a GP's list are allowed a choice of alternative GPs.
§ Dr. OwenA patient removed from a general practitioner's list is free to seek acceptance by another doctor of his own choice. The family practitioner committee for the area will on request provide particulars of the other doctors in the neighbourhood. Only if the patient fails to find another doctor for himself does the committee make arrangements on his behalf.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will issue a leaflet outlining patients' rights in relation to their general practitioner, with special reference to the doctor's right to strike them off their list.
§ Dr. OwenNo. General information is included on the patient's medical card. Patients who need advice as to their rights can consult the appropriate family practitioner committee. The family prac- 111W titioner committee will help any patient who is removed from a doctor's list and who cannot himself find another doctor willing to accept him.
§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she will consider introducing measures to oblige general practitioners to give written reasons for the striking off of a patient from their list.
§ Dr. OwenNo. I consider it preferable that both doctor and patient should continue to be free to make a change without being required to give a reason.