§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, in the light of current high unemployment of qualified medical practitioners, if he will act to help hospitals reduce the excessive workload of medical staff and to obviate difficulties in providing locum tenentes.
§ Dr. VaughanThe latest available information shows that less than 0.5 per cent. of all medical practitioners are currently registered as unemployed, and I am not aware of any evidence of a national problem in relation to the total supply of medical manpower. In particular, I do not know of any widespread difficulties in providing locums. The level of workload of medical staff in individual hospitals is a matter for the responsible health authority in consultation with the profession locally.