HC Deb 23 June 1981 vol 7 c69W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the recommendation in the alternative rural services report that transport to main surgeries needs considerable improvement to prevent a deterioration in medical services; and if he will make financial assistance available in badly affected areas.

Dr. Vaughan

Problems of access to doctors' surgeries and other health facilities are best dealt with locally where, as the report suggests, a number of ways of making improvements already exist. I do not regard central financing arrangements as the answer; it is for the local health authorities to judge the extent to which they should use resources to improve access to health care.