§ 39. Major EDWARD WOODasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the National Health Insurance Commissioners, whether his attention has been called to the difficulty experienced by many persons in country districts owing to the shortage of medical officers during the present epidemic of influenza in securing the certificate of a medical officer necessary to obtain sick benefit under the National Insurance Act; and whether he can make provision by which money to which such persons are entitled may be more easily and expeditiously obtained?
§ Sir EDWIN CORNWALL (Comptroller of the Household)I am aware of, and am giving careful attention to, the serious difficulties under which the medical profession are striving to carry out their duties just now, with their numbers so depleted by the demands of the Army for medical men, and the great aggravation of these difficulties by the present epidemic; and I trust that Approved Societies generally are showing all possible consideration for these conditions in their dealing with sickness benefit claims from their members. But I am advised that a general relaxation of the requirement of periodical medical certificates as evidence of incapacity for work would be open to grave objection, as tending to destroy the administrative basis requisite for financial 2659 stability. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any individual case in view where a needlessly rigid insistence on a complete fulfilment of some rule in the present abnormal circumstances has occasioned injustice, I will look into the matter and communicate with the various parties concerned.
§ Sir S. COLLINSNow that the Armistice is in progress, will medical men be brought home as quickly as possible?
§ Sir E. CORNWALLNegotiations are being carried on with a view to the bringing of medical men back to this country as rapidly as possible.