HC Deb 13 April 1932 vol 264 cc805-6
77. Mr. CULVERWELL

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether medical officers in the employment of the Government of Uganda are allowed to accept fees from private patients; and, if so, under what conditions?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The regulations for the East African Medical Service which apply to medical officers in Uganda provide that, except in districts or stations in which the Governor in consultation with the Director of Medical and Sanitary Services has decided that reasonable facilities exist for the treatment by private practitioners of persons not entitled to free medical attendance, medical officers are allowed private practice for which fees may be charged, provided that it does not interfere with the efficient performance of their official duties. There are certain special regulations relating to private patients in Government hospitals. I shall be happy to supply my hon. Friend with a copy of the complete regulations if he wishes.

Mr. CULVERWELL

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any complaint that medical officers are neglecting their duties in order to attend to their private practice? Does he not think it would remove any inducement of that sort were the fees derived from private patients paid direct to the Government?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

In answer to the first question, personally, no. I have not had any complaints. I could not, without searching the files, answer whether any complaints have ever been made. In the second place, provided a man does his own Government duties first, it would be very difficult to deprive him of his private patients.

Mr. CULVERWELL

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider my suggestion, that fees derived from private patients should be paid to the Government and not to the medical officer?

Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLE

Will the right hon. Gentleman at the same time consider the value of retaining such supplementary advantages to medical officers to enhance the limited prospects of their service?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

It is very difficult to pay private fees into the public Exchequer. I think that it would lead to two difficulties. First of all, people would say that the Government were giving the service and they should get it for nothing; and, secondly, on those terms the doctor might be unwilling to undertake Private practice.

Colonel CROOKSHANK

Does my right hon. Friend not consider this creates an unfortunate precedent? On similar lines fees should be allowed to engineers and others, and it would be very undesirable if they were encouraged to take them.

Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

That matter hardly arises out of the question.