§ 61. Mr. TOUCHEasked if the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been drawn to the case of Arthur Wessendorf, of Devonshire Street, N., who had been a member of a sick benefit society for twelve years and joined the State section in June, 1912; is he aware that Wessendorf was notified as tuberculous by Dr. Latham in September, 1912, granted sanatorium benefit early in October, and immediately expelled from his society; that requests to the society and the London Insurance Committee, asking for an investigation, were acknowledged with promise of a further report; and can he say whether any action was taken, and why a report has not been received, notwithstanding a reminder from the doctor on 19th February, 1913?
Mr. ROBERTSONI understand that the insured person in question, on applying for membership of the New Tabernacle Society in June last, stated that he was in sound health and free from constitutional or recurring disease. It does not 1355 appear to be quite clear whether he was formally admitted to membership; but the society gave him seven days' notice from September 26th, of termination of membership (if membership had been contracted), on the ground of material misstatement as to his health on his application. It was open to him to appeal from the decision of the society to arbitration, and ultimately to the Commissioners, but he does not appear to have taken steps to this end, and the Commissioners had no information as to the case until the end of March. The London Insurance Committee have no jurisdiction with regard to termination of membership of societies. They administer sanatorium benefit, but a claim from the person referred to for that benefit would not appear to be affected by his leaving his society.
§ 62. Mr. TOUCHEasked if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that Richard May, aged 34, a bricklayer, of 43, Wedmore Street, Upper Holloway, was taken suddenly ill on 16th January; that the panel doctor found the patient to be suffering from a weak heart, with left lung much diseased, of which facts the insurance authorities were then informed by the doctor and relatives; that sanatorium treatment has been reported as necessary, but has not yet been given, and the patient is reported to be sinking; is the failure to furnish proper treatment due to the lack of facilities for sanatoria treatment; and, if not too late, can it be given in this case?
Mr. ROBERTSONNo application for sanatorium benefit was received in respect of the insured person till 27th March, when it was arranged that he should receive domiciliary treatment. He was asked to notify the committee when the practitioner attending him considered that he was in a fit condition to attend for examination by the medical adviser of the committee, who would then be in a position to consider whether any other form of treatment is preferable. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. From the hon. Member's description of the patient's condition it would seem that for the present he must, in his own interests, continue to be treated in his own home.
§ Mr. TOUCHEIs it not the case that the majority of these applicants are given domiciliary treatment because sanatorium 1356 benefit is practically non-existent in London at the present moment?