§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take action to remedy the situation created by financial cuts in the National Health Service, particularly in London, which have resulted in an excessive work load on junior hospital staff as health authorities have reduced the number of locums employed and have delayed the filling of medical staff vacancies, in view of the opinion of doctors' organisations that fatigue and over-work can lead to danger to patients.
§ Dr. VaughanThe way in which health authorities allocate and manage their budgets is a matter for their judgment in the light of local circumstances. I am, however, anxious that hospital doctors should not be asked to work 461W excessive hours; I am always willing to discuss with the professions how their hours can be reduced by adjustments which do not involve diverting resources from patient services or increases in the numbers in the training grades.