§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from(a) the British Medical Association, (b) the Royal College of General Practitioners and (c) other organisations about the new patient registration examination; and whether he has any plans to dispense with the requirement for the examination when patients are reallocated within a group practice following the resignation of a partner.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyNo such representations have been received. We believe it is beneficial for both patient and doctor that there should be an opportunity for the doctor to obtain an up to date profile of any new patient joining his list. There is already provision for the requirement to be waived when a patient has participated in such a consultation with a partner during the preceding 12 months.