§ Mr. GalbraithTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to increase the number of female consultants and general practitioners giving unrestricted medical services.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythI am currently considering measures to improve career patterns for young doctors in the hospital service in Scotland, as part of a drive to improve our hospital medical staffing structure. These measures include improved training programmes, better career advice and counselling, and more part-time registrar posts. All of these should help hospital doctors—including women doctors—to achieve their full career potential.
In the White Paper "Promoting Better Health" we announced our intention to discuss with the profession what arrangements might be made to ensure that more women are encouraged to enter and remain in general practice. This subject forms part of the confidential discussions at present taking place with the profession on the various proposals in the White Paper.