HC Deb 05 June 1981 vol 5 c439W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will initiate further surveys of the extent and cost-effectiveness of expensive chemopathological investigations, with a view to providing firmer guidelines for their use.

Dr. Vaughan

A number of studies of the cost of pathology investigations, including chemical pathology, have been funded by the Department. Several of these studies have been completed and, although no new studies are contemplated at the present time, others are continuing.

While I do not consider it appropriate to issue guidelines for the use of pathological investigations, the results of these studies are being published as an aid to doctors in exercising their professional judgment.