§ 51. Sir JOHN SPEARasked if any panel doctor is resident at Princetown, Devon; and, if not, to what doctor must insured persons residing there apply in case of sickness?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThere is no doctor resident in Princetown except the prison medical officer. As I pointed out in answer to a similar question from the hon. Member last week, the Act has made no difference in this respect. The nearest doctors from whom insured persons resident at Princetown can obtain medical attendance are, I understand, about six miles away.
§ Sir J. SPEARDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the medical man who served the Manchester Unity of Odd-fellows at Princetown has ceased to act in that capacity, and therefore there is no doctor within seven miles of Princetown and district, is it not a fact that the medical men of Tavistock are prepared to undertake the work if they get reasonable mileage facilities, and will he allow me to show him many complaints from residents in that district as to the utter inability to get any benefit under the Act?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI should be very glad to receive any communication from the hon. Gentleman. I only want to make the Act work as smoothly as possible. There are three doctors on the panel within six miles of Princetown, and they are going to get mileage, which they did not get before the Act came into force.
§ Sir J. SPEARWill the right hon. Gentleman give me the names of the three doctors.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have not got them with me, but I will gladly communicate them.