HC Deb 24 April 1934 vol 288 cc1552-3
64. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKE

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that certain approved societies refuse health insurance benefits to members, although certified by their panel doctors, unless and until the applicants have been examined by the regional medical officer; and whether, seeing that this action causes unnecessary hardship, he will take steps to revise the rules of approved societies to ensure that payments of benefit are made before the members are sent to the regional medical officer?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

Where an approved society desires to obtain a second medical opinion on the subject of a member's incapacity for work, it is entitled to refer the case to a regional medical officer, and it is the general practice of societies in such cases to pay benefit in respect of any period of certified incapacity up to and including the date on which the members is examined by that officer. The payment is made at as early a date as accords with the society's general administrative arrangements, and my right hon. Friend does not think that it would be reasonable or practicable to impose on societies an obligation to make the payment in all cases before the date of the examination.

Mr. MACQUI8TEN

Is it not notorious that panel doctors are more facile than others in granting certificates owing to competition for patients?