§ Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make it his policy to encourage more younger doctors to seek appointments in National Health Service hospitals prior to entering general practice; and if, in addition to the experience they will gain in hospital service, he will introduce further incentives with a view to ensuring the availability of adequate medical staff.
§ Mr. NewtonThe recent consultation document on hospital medical staffing, "Achieving a Balance", a copy of which is in the Library, contains a package of measures which, along with continuing improvement in standards of patient care, is intended to improve medical career prospects. Doctors wishing to become principals in general practice are required to complete three years of specified vocational training of which two are spent in hospital training posts. An independent review body determines the remuneration levels for all National Health Service doctors.