§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the increasing practice of hospital out-patients being issued with instructions to collect prescribed medication through their registered family medical practitioners rather than direct from the hospital dispensary whilst attending hospital.
§ Sir George YoungHealth authorities were reminded in April 1976 that the duty of prescribing rests with the doctor who at the time has the clinical responsibility for the patient's treatment. Where this is retained by the hospital doctor, the patient should not be referred to this general practitioner prescribing. I have no evidence that a contrary practice is on the increase.