§ Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the effect the changes he announced on 20 December regarding the use by family medical practitioners of commercial deputising services will have on the general standard of out-of-hours medical attention, and of any possible financial gain to the National Health Service by reduced use of and dependency upon such deputising services.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI will implement only changes which have a beneficial effect on the standards of out-of-hours medical attention. The financial effects, if any, will depend on the final form of the guidance issued following the current consultations.