§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what percentage of the recommendations of the Health Service Commissioner have been implemented by the relevant health authorities.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkePrecise information is not readily available. However, in his annual report for 1980–81 the Health Service Commissioner stated that
it is almost always true that my findings are readily accepted and my proposed remedies implemented by the authorities concerned.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that sufficient information is available to patients and relatives of patients to proceed with their complaints to the Health Service Commissioner.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe commissioner gives extensive publicity to his activities, including wide distribution of an information poster and leaflet. We have asked district health authorities to ensure that the leaflet is available on request from hospitals and clinics. A further leaflet, published by our Department earlier this year, "Comments, Suggestions and Complaints about your stay in Hospital" explains the functions of the commissioner in general terms and how complaints can be referred to him. This leaflet is also available on request, from hospitals, clinics, community health councils and citizens advice bureaux.
§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to make the findings of the Health Service Commissioner more easily available to the medical profession.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI see no need to do so. The commissioner publishes an annual report and periodic collections of selected reports of individual investigations, which are available from Her Majesty's Stationery Office. We distribute the annual report to health authorities and alert them to the publication of the periodic collections.