Written question asked by Julia Drown (Labour) on Friday, 14 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 8 January 2002. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Tuesday, 8 January 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to the NHS (General Medical Services) Amendment (No 4) Regulations (SI No 3742) and the NHS (General Medical Services Supplementary List) Regulations 2001 (SI No 3740), whether it is his policy that there should be a requirement on health authorities to provide information to general practitioners to support the allegations being made against them. - Inc fact that advice is available on the Department's website for the health authorities. (Holding answer 19 December 2001).

Answer: Ms Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the NHS (General Medical Services) Amendment (No. 4) Regulations (SI No. 3742) and the NHS (General Medical Services Supplementary List) Regulations 2001 (SI No. 3740), whether it is his policy that there should be a requirement on health authorities to provide information to general practitioners to support the allegations being made against them. [23821] Mr. Hutton: [holding answer 19 December 2001]: Before a health authority decides to remove a doctor from either the medical or supplementary list under discretionary powers the regulations require it to: (i) give the doctor notice in writing of any allegation against him; (ii) give the doctor notice of what action the health authority is considering and on what grounds; (iii) give him the opportunity to make written representations to the health authority; (iv) give him the opportunity to put his case at an oral hearing before the health authority. These matters are addressed more fully in advice, prepared in consultation with key stakeholders, including the British Medical Association. This advice was made available to health authorities on 30 November 2001 and explains that the doctor should be sent full details, including any written evidence, of the case against him no less than 14 calendar days prior to the date set for the panel. This advice is available on the Department's website.

Secondary information