HC Deb 22 February 1940 vol 357 cc1542-4W
Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether it will be open to any person injured in an air raid, whatever his income, and requiring treatment in his own home, to demand that this treatment shall be afforded him under the inclusive fee to the doctor of 16s. per year?

Mr. Elliot

As the hon. Member will see from the published memorandum already sent to him, the arrangements to which he refers are available to any person injured in an air raid who, after treatment at a hospital, is certified to require further medical treatment which it is not practicable to give at a hospital, and who is not entitled to medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. Patients, however, who would normally make their own arrangements for domiciliary treatment are, of course, free to do so.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed that his arrangement with the British Medical Association, whereby air-raid casualties are to be treated by general medical practitioners for 16s. a year, shall be effective on those who are not members of this association?

Mr. Elliot

Yes, Sir. The arrangement for domiciliary treatment in certain circumstances after attendance at hospital is applicable to any duly qualified medical practitioner.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the arrangements relating to medical services under which the remuneration of medical practitioners is dependent upon a so-called local emergency medical committee disbursing Government funds on such basis, whether capitation or attendance, as may be found convenient to such committee; and whether he will consider, as he is responsible for the provision of these medical services, dealing with this expenditure, and having it properly certified by the Exchequer and Audit Department?

Mr. Elliot

The arrangements are working to my satisfaction. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar Question which he put to me on I2th December last.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether the proposed remuneration of 16s. per annum for the treatment of air-raid casualties, not being insured persons, means that, if a practitioner treats a casualty once only, he will receive payment for one day only or approximately one halfpenny, or whether there is to be a central found representing all non-insured persons, by reason of the responsibility of the medical profession for all members of the community whether insured persons or not?

Mr. Elliot

The fee of 16s. payable under the scheme covers a period of one year from the first visit, whatever the number of visits paid in the year. There is no such central fund as is suggested in the latter part of the Question.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health whether the British Medical Association, when agreeing with him that doctors should accept 16s. a year for the treatment of air-raid casualties, gave him any assurance that the medical profession has been afforded an opportunity of discussing the sufficiency or otherwise of this sum?

Mr. Elliot

No, Sir, but I am informed that the matter was dealt with, in accordance with the rules of the British Medical Association, by the council of the association and its executive committee.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health under what authority he has agreed with the British Medical Association, or negotiates with any other body, to standardise the fees to be charged by general medical practitioners for the treatment of those injured in air raids?

Mr. Elliot

I take it that the hon. Member is referring to the fee of 16s. which is to be paid by my Department to medical practitioners in certain circumstances for the treatment of air-raid casualties. I agreed that fee with the British Medical Association as being the body most widely representative of the profession.