§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the recent Doctors' Forum event held at the Novotel Hotel in Hammersmith; and what the(a) objectives and (b) programme for the event were. [138934]
§ Mr. HuttonThe cost of the 2003 Improving Working Lives for Doctors' Conference was £125,000. The event was open to all doctors and to those working in national health service human resource departments as an opportunity to network and share good practice on progress towards our aim of improving the working lives of medical staff. The principal objective was to support our commitment to the development of well-managed, supportive and flexible working environments by showcasing achievements and providing an opportunity to discuss areas where more work is needed. The conference was also a platform to support and promote the work of the doctors' forum, which was established following the first IWL for doctors' conference in 2002. Those who were unable to attend the event can find out more from the summary information on the Department's website at:http://www.doh.gov.uk/conferences/improvingoct03.htm