HC Deb 03 February 1982 vol 17 cc165-6W
Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many cases of complaints against deputising doctors have been received by Scottish health boards since May 1979.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Not all health boards keep comprehensive information in the form requested and the following figures are therefore approximate. There were 69 cases of complaints involving deputising doctors of which eight involved a deputising doctor not on the health board's medical list.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he intends to give to health boards publicising the changes in the opportunities open to them to make complaints against deputising general practitioners.

Mr. Allan Stewart

I do not consider it is necessary to add to the advice on this subject issued to health boards and general medical practitioners on 23 November 1981.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations he has received from August 1979 to date alleging a gap in the statutory accountability of deputising doctors; and what has been his response.

Mr. Allan Stewart

My right hon. Friend has received 28 representations since August 1979 about the gap in the National Health Service complaints procedure in relation to deputy doctors not on the medical list. The general response to those which received a reply before my written answer on 23 November 1981 to my hon. Friend the member for Fife, East (Mr. Henderson)—[Vol.13, c. 279–80]—was that my right hon. Friend was committed to rectifying this anomaly, but that it was considered that this required primary legislation which was not in immediate prospect. Replies issued since 23 November have reported the revised view of the existing legislation and the consequent responsibilities of Scottish GPs in relation to deputies.

Mr. George Robertson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has issued to health boards on action to be taken on complaints previously made about deputising doctors, which had been rejected on the grounds that health boards were not legally responsible.

Mr. Allan Stewart

In a circular issued on 23 November 1981 health boards were advised that they should take no initiative to review past cases of complaints involving doctors not on the health board's medical list acting as deputies. The same circular advised that any complaint about a past case submitted after 23 November should be dealt with under the regulations governing service committee procedures, which include provisions for late complaints.