§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will inquire into the problems of those unsettled and homeless people who were cared for, when necessary, by Sister Barbara Burke-Masters before her surgery was closed by the Pharmaceutical Society; and if he will invite the views of those interested and with a knowledge of the problems, on what new initiatives would ensure that these people had ready access to primary health care that meets their needs.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe intend shortly to ask all family practitioner committees to make it a priority in510W 1985–86 to report on the extent to which the needs of homeless people for general medical services within their locality are being met.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what representations he has received from the Pharmaceutical Society concerning the closure of Sister Burke-Masters surgery; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeI understand that inspectors of the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain interviewed Miss Burke-Masters on 28 January 1985 and explained to her that her actions in supplying prescription-only medicines to persons not patients of a medical practitioner were unlawful, and that she should cease such supply. I further understand that a general medical practitioner on the list of the City and East London family practitioner committee has proposed that he should accept the patients in question on to his list and employ Miss Burke-Masters to provide them with nursing care, as a means of regularising her position.