§ 57. Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked whether the Form 43 (b)/I.C., relating to the procedure to be adopted by members of the nursing staff at hospitals, whereby they are allowed to make their own arrangements for medical benefit, has been forwarded by the Insurance Commissioners or by the Insurance Committee for the county of London directly to any London hospital; and, if so, which?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am informed by the London Insurance Committee that Forms 43 (b)/I.C. have been sent out by the committee directly in the cases of five hospitals and six similar institutions. As soon as application is received by the authorities of any hospital a copy of the form in question is forwarded immediately. The Committee understand that the Nurses' Insurance Society, with whom they have been in communication, have however, forwarded to the authorities of all hospitals and similar institutions copies of Form 43 (b)/I.C. supplied to them by the London Insurance Committee.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that one hospital has applied to the London Insurance Committee for these forms, but has not yet received them?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI will have inquiries made. I understood that any hospital which had applied had received them.
§ 58. Sir PHILIP MAGNUSasked under what conditions, if any, a member of the resident or visiting staff of a London hospital can have his name placed on the panel for a limited number of insured persons, namely, for nurses and other hospital employés; and whether any hospital doctor must obtain the consent of the other medical practitioners on the panel in order that the number of insured persons whom he may be required to attend may be limited to members of the hospital staff only?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe Insurance Commissioners have suggested to insurance committees that they should allow doctors to come on the panel for a limited number of insured persons under the following conditions: (1) That provision has already been made for all insured persons; (2) that the other doctors on the panel agree to the proposed arrangement; and (3) that the arrangement will not, at all events without the consent of the other doctors on the panel, result in the doctor who is admitted to the panel on these terms having on his list an undue proportion of selected lives; and I understand that arrangements of the kind suggested are being made.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the London Insurance Committee have issued instructions differing essentially from those which he has just described?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI believe that the London Insurance Committee are adopting the suggestion of the Commissioners, and are prepared to admit doctors to the panel for a limited number of patients under those three conditions.
§ Sir P. MAGNUSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Insurance Committee will admit doctors to the panel for a limited number of patients without reference to the consent of the other doctors on the panel?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIf they are admitting doctors for a limited number of patients, they have received the consent of the other doctors on the panel.