HC Deb 24 July 1991 vol 195 cc679-80W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is undertaking to ensure that the transfer of medical records between practices nationally is carried out as an efficient and speedy service.

Mr. Dorrell

In the guidance issued by the Department (circular HC (FP) (89) 20), a copy of which is available in the Library, family health services authorities (FHSAs) were asked to review the functioning of their registration departments to ensure that all unnecessary delays in the transfer of records were avoided. FHSA's were also asked to encourage GPs to co-operate in arrangements for the transfer of medical records and to monitor their own as well as GPs performance in transferring records.