§ 57. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Minister of Health how many regional medical officers are now employed and how many were similarly employed in 1918; what salaries do they get and what are their duties; and whether they are entitled to pensions and at what rate?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)There were no regional medical officers employed in 1918. The present number and salaries of officers on this staff are
These salaries are all inclusive of bonus, and the posts are pensionable except for those officers who entered the service at 50 or over (21 in number). The duties are concerned chiefly with the insurance medical service and National Health Insurance Funds bear the appropriate share of their emoluments. The officers act as medical referees regarding the incapacity of insured persons for work, and as consultants in giving second opinions in questions of diagnosis. In addition they are required to carry out certain inspections under the Dangerous Drugs Act, 1920, and the Blind Persons Act, 1920, and, as needed, to inspect Poor Law institutions.
4 Divisional medical officers at £1,600. 17 Regional medical officers at £1,400. 16 Regional medical officers at £1,000 by £50 to £1,400. 13 Deputy regional medical officers at £800 by £30 to £1,100.