HC Deb 26 January 1982 vol 16 c333W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of increasing unemployment amoungst young doctors seeking to enter general practice or to qualify as consultants, he will take steps to seek doctors' retirement at the age of 65 years from their permanent Health Service commitments.

Dr. Vaughan

Evidence available to the Department does not indicate the need for special measures to counter unemployment amongst doctors. At 30 September 1981, 1, 002 persons were registered with the Department of Employment as seeking work as medical practitioners; more than half had been registered for less than three months.

The normal retiring age for doctors employed in the hospital and community health services is 65 years. The question of an upper age limit for retirement of practitioner contracted to family practitioners committees is among the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the National Health Service, and of the report of the Acheson committee on primary health care in inner London, which we are considering.