§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what would be the effect on the local family 453W practitioner services of general practitioners providing medical cover if the proposal to convert Doddington hospital into a unit for geriatrics goes ahead;
(2) whether the Peterborough health authority will pay general practitioners to provide medical cover if the Doddington hospital becomes a unit for geriatrics;
(3) whether the proposed transformation of Doddington hospital into a unit for geriatrics can take place without local general practitioners expressing their willingness to provide medical cover; whether the family practitioner committee's approval for this plan is needed; and whether the family practitioner committee has been consulted.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe proposal to change the use of Doddington hospital was one of several options canvassed by Peterborough health authority prior to finalising its strategic plan.
Health authority proposals including the manpower implications of planning options which involve family practitioner services must be pursued in collaboration with the family practitioner committee and the associated local representative committees. The hon. Member may care to contact these bodies concerning such arrangements at local level. I understand that no decisions have been taken regarding medical cover associated with the proposed change of use, nor concerning any possible effects on general medical services if this were provided by general practitioners. But if cover is to be provided in this way, I would expect the health authority and the family practitioner and local medical committees to continue to work together so that a conclusion is reached that takes hospital and family practitioner service needs into account.
If the proposed change took place it would be possible for Peterborough health authority to make arrangements for general practitioners to be paid for providing medical cover.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether the proposal to convert Doddington hospital into a unit for geriatrics represents a change of policy by the Peterborough health authority.
§ Mr. John PattenThe hon. Member may care to contact the Peterborough health authority direct on their policy, as it is responsible for the management of services locally.