HC Deb 19 December 2003 vol 416 cc191-2W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what restrictions there are on direct referral by general practitioners to(a) therapists, (b) hospital diagnostics and (c) other general practitioners with a specialist interest; if he will list the reasons for these restrictions; and what plans his Department has to remove those restrictions. [143703]

Mr. Hutton

There are no centrally imposed restrictions on the direct referral of patients by general practitioners to therapists, hospital diagnostics, or other GPs with a specialist interest.

(b) geriatricians below the level of consultant were employed in England and Wales in each year since 1997. [145627]

Mr. Hutton

Information relating to Wales is a matter for the Welsh assembly.

The available information is shown in the table.

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