§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, with a view to ensuring greater coordination in primary medical care, in mental health, preventive medicine, medical screening and the treatment of chronic illnesses, he will set up a departmental inquiry into the role of practice nurses.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe term practice nurse is normally used to refer to nurses employed by general medical practitioners to work with them in their practices. It is for the practitioners employing them to determine their role and duties, having due regard to their training and experience. We have no plans to set up an inquiry to look specifically into their work, but we are at present considering a request from the Health Visitors Association for an inquiry into the role of the health visitor and school nurse. We will keep the hon. Member's suggestion in mind. The co-ordination of the services referred to by the hon. Member will be within the scope of the review of long-term policy towards the primary care services generally, which we intend to carry out over the summer.