§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) whether he will introduce a Government code of practice governing the operations of all air ambulance operators servicing the United Kingdom and repatriating emergency cases for hospital treatment from overseas;
(2) whether he is satisfied with the voluntary arrangements governing the operations of air ambulance operators;
(3) whether he will discuss with the British Medical Association a code of practice covering medical practitioners who are available for use by air ambulance operators;
(4) whether he has evidence of National Health Service practitioners serving air ambulance operators being ill-equipped or lacking the necessary training for in-flight treatment of patients being repatriated to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John PattenThere are no statutory powers to control the medical aspects of air ambulance operations but I understand that the Air Transport Operators Association has published a voluntary code of practice on standards and procedures for air ambulances for the guidance of its members. We have no evidence to suggest that a Government code of practice is necessary and are564W not planning to discuss this with the British Medical Association. The employment of members of the health professions in this work is a matter for the operators and not a health service responsibility.