HC Deb 30 October 1985 vol 84 cc567-8W
Sir Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the number of National Health Service medical practitioners who failed to achieve the prescribed standard of proficiency within the meaning of the various Medical Acts in force since 1978, and if he will express this as a percentage of those in National Health Service medical practice for each of those years.

Mr. Hayhoe

The Medical Act 1983 consolidated legislation providing for General Medical Council control over standards of entry to the medical profession. Proficiency in medical practice can be assessed only in the context of the relevant circumstances, and there is no provision for a uniform formal standard. Statistics are therefore not available.

Sir Anthony Grant

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many representations his Department has received concerning the professional conduct of National Health Service medical practitioners in each of the last five years, and what action was taken as a result.

Mr. Hayhoe

Action on the professional conduct of individual doctors is, according to the circumstances, a matter for the General Medical Council, health authorities, or family practitioner committees. No meaningful central record of such representations is available.