HC Deb 08 June 1999 vol 332 cc275-6W
Mr. McDonnell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what discussions he has had with the General Medical Council on the evidence produced by the Medical Practitioners Union on the need for safeguards to prevent racially motivated complaints against doctors reaching the Professional Conduct Committee of the General Medical Council; [84725]

(2) what action he has taken to address the concerns of the Medical Practitioners Union that the disciplinary procedures in the medical profession may discriminate against doctors from ethnic minorities. [84723]

Mr. Denham

The Government are fully committed to equality of opportunity for all Health Service staff and are concerned that the National Health Service work force should reflect the population it serves in order to deliver sensitive and appropriate services. There is no place for discrimination on any grounds within the National Health Service. Officials work closely with the General Medical Council on the handling of complaints and to ensure that any differences in referral rates or handling of cases are considered and addressed where appropriate.

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