HL Deb 15 February 1977 vol 379 cc1535-7WA
Lord WINSTANLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will take steps to ensure that the contents of the Department of Health and Social Security circular letters HM(71)40 and HN(76)69, regarding the issuing of certificates and prescriptions to hospital out-patients, are complied with by the hospital doctors concerned.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

Guidance on the responsibility for certification and prescribing has been issued in HM(71)40 and HN(76)69. Implementation of this guidance is for Area Health Authorities and the latter notice made it clear that locally agreed prescribing policies which contribute to rational drug therapy are to be welcomed. Local professional consultation on any difficulties that may arise, is best carried out through local medical committees or district medical committees: the second include both consultants and general practitioners in their membership.

Lord WINSTANLEY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will arrange for an appropriate transfer of finance from the Family Practitioner Committee funds to the hospitals concerned, in respect of prescriptions issued byhospital doctors to out-patients for whom continuing clinical responsibility rests with the hospital doctor, as instructed by the Department of Health and Social Security circular letter HN(76)69.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

Prescriptions for hospital patients are normally dispensed in a hospital pharmacy. The Department of Health and Social Security circular HN(76)69 deals with the introduction of a revised version of the outpatient prescription form FP10(HP) which is used exceptionally where a prescription is to be dispensed other than in a hospital pharmacy by a chemist who has undertaken to provide pharmaceutical services. The circular reminds health authorities of the limited circumstances in which these forms should be used and of the authorities' responsibilities in relation to their use. It also reminds health authorities of earlier advice concerning their responsibility for prescribing for outpatients. There are no provisions in the circular about the transfer of finance from Family Practitioner Committee funds to the hospitals concerned as an allowance is made in the financial allocations to health authorities for this expenditure.