§ 14. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he has seen the report of the inquest on the body of a domestic servant named Wear, who recently died at Enfield, at which the coroner said that, owing to clerical work 462 under the National Insurance Act, the doctor had not been able to give proper medical attendance; and what steps the Government propose to take?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have seen the report referred to. My hon. Friend the Member for Stepney gave a complete refutation in this House on Friday last of the suggestion that the doctor in this area was precluded from giving proper medical attendance through clerical or other work under the Act. The doctor called on the patient on Monday, 20th January, when he was unable to diagnose the disease from which she was suffering, and said he would call again on Wednesday, the 22nd. He was informed on Tuesday, the 21st, that she was worse, and sent some medicine. At 9.50 on Wednesday morning he heard she was dead. So far as insured persons were concerned, on the 21st instant the doctor signed eighty-two medical tickets, made one visit to a patient's home in addition to seven calls at his surgery; on the 22nd he signed forty-four medical tickets, paid two visits, and received six calls at his surgery. Whatever was the reason therefore for the patient not having her illness diagnosed, or not receiving further attendance, it was certainly not the doctor's work under the Act.