§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he will take action against the Oxford area health authority, in the light of the failure of the administrators of that authority to secure adequate locum cover and the general deficiency of those responsible to secure essential general and study leave replacements, so that staff are able to operate at as near possible to their fully constituted complement.
§ Dr. VaughanNo. It is for the area health authority to decide what level of medical cover is required at any time to provide an appropriate level of service. I understand that present policies of the Oxfordshire area health authority (teaching) on the provision of locum cover are based on advice from senior medical staff in the area.