§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what proposals he has put(a) to general practitioners in Wales and (b) to family health services authorities in Wales to help reduce the problem of night-time calls;
(2) what steps he intends to take to ensure that any measures aimed at curbing the increase in night-time calls to general practitioners in Wales do not discourage those who are in genuine need of advice or help.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettOne of the basic aims of the new contract for GPs is to make it more responsive to patient needs and demands. Requests for night visits reflect patient demand and the Government will not do anything that might prejudice the proper provision of general medical services in cases of genuine need. The decision as to whether a night visit should be made in any particular case is and must be governed by a GP's clinical judgment.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to exclude charges from any steps aimed at reducing night-time calls on general practitioners in Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettThere are no proposals and never have been to charge patients for night-time calls. The article which appeared in theWales on Sunday newspaper was based on a misunderstanding. The £45 referred to in the article is the fee paid by the FHSA to the GP for visiting a patient on his list. The hon. Gentleman's comments in the report alleging that it was part of a government plan to privatise the NHS are revealed for the nonsense they are. I advise the hon. Gentleman to check his facts before making baseless statements which could mislead and cause needless worry.