§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give the date and details of the last occasion on which the breach of contract by a National Health Service consultant was reported to him.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyAllegations of breach of contract by an NHS consultant are a matter for the employing authority, and are not necessarily reported to the Department. Any such information affecting particular individuals is treated in confidence.
§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he will take to ensure that hospital consultants honour their National Health Service contracts.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis is primarily a matter for employing authorities. "Working for Patients" and its associated working paper 7 announced the Government's proposal to introduce fuller job descriptions for all hospital consultants to improve their accountability. Discussions with the profession are not yet completed. We intend to issue guidance to health authorities advising them to define more clearly the scope of consultants' duties, which will help to ensure that all consultants fulfil their NHS commitments.
§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether any districts have taken action to deal with consultants who may have breached their National Health Service contract in the last year.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThis information is not collected centrally. Questions about consultants' fulfil-ment of their NHS contracts are a matter for resolution by employing authorities.