§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set out in the Official Report any guidance he has issued on the payments to be made to general practitioners suspended from the medical register due to ill health.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe guidance issued on 11 June 1981 was as follows
Under section 28 of the Medical Act 1956, only registered doctors can hold medical posts in public hospitals or in other public establishments, and, under section 33 of the National Health Service Act 1977, authorities may only make arrangements with fully registered doctors for the provision of general medical services. As a result, when the Health Committee suspends the registration of a doctor in the hospital or community health field he ceases to be employed by the NHS. Similarly a general practitioner cannot remain on an FPC's medical list. There is then no power for the Authority concerned to pay sick pay: or for a general practitioner to make locum arrangements while he remains off the FPC list. Ministers accept the need for legislation to correct this, to provide for payments and to preserve the rights of doctors whose registration is suspended on health grounds, provided that patients' interests are safeguarded.For the present, if any case arises, sympathetic consideration will be given to requests to make payment in individual cases. Each case will need to be authorised individually.I regret that the opportunity for legislation has not yet arisen.
§ Mrs. Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he intends to introduce legislation to safeguard the future of doctors suspended from the medical register due to ill health.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe necessary legislation will be introduced at the first suitable opportunity.