§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what controls he has introduced to ensure that doctors who service internet medical companies provide patient consultations. [97664]
§ Mr. HuttonDoctors who service internet medical companies do so in a private capacity. A doctor has a duty of care towards patients, no matter how the service is provided. The General Medical Council (CMC)524W advises the profession that, in its view, advice and prescribing by e-mail may seriously compromise standards of care; where the doctor does not previously know the patient, where no examination can be provided and where there is little or no provision for proper patient follow-up care. A doctor in the United Kingdom who fails to discharge the duty of care towards patients is liable to investigation and disciplinary action by the GMC.