§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for NHS support for medical undergraduate education.
§ Baroness CumberlegeWe have placed in the Library a copy of the Report,SIFT into the Future, from an advisory group on future arrangements for the service increment for teaching (SIFT) chaired by Dr. Graham Winyard, Health Care Director of the National Health Service Executive.
We welcome the direction of change proposed by the advisory group. The report recommends development in the way we meet the additional NHS costs to hospitals, community trusts and general practitioners associated with teaching medical undergraduates. Payments will be based progressively on the demonstrated costs of clinical placements and of facilities to support teaching, within a sound framework of responsibilities, relationships and accountability. The report has been welcomed by the Steering Group on Undergraduate Medical and Dental Education and Research (SGUMDER).
We are sending copies of the report to health authorities, family health service authorities, trusts, universities and other interested bodies, seeking views on the detailed recommendations and on plans for implementation.
Comments are also sought on separate proposals for change in the service increment for teaching dental students, which follow from the recommendations of the Dental Hospital Subgroup of SGUMDER. We have placed in the Library a copy of the consultation paper about the proposals for change.
Subject to consultation and to detailed development work, changes will take effect from 1 April 1996.