§ 39. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the large numbers of members of approved societies who are now out of health insurance owing to prolonged unemployment, and so must apply to the Poor Law medical officers instead of the panel doctors; what is being done to prevent these medical officers being unable, through overwork, to deal efficiently with their large numbers of new patients; and whether he will take steps forthwith to enable all such persons to regain medical benefit with the panel doctors?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREA number of persons have ceased to be entitled to benefits under the scheme of national health insurance by reason of prolonged unemployment and a proportion of these are having recourse to the public assistance authorities when in need of medical attendance. As regards the second part of the question, it is for the public assistance authority to see that their medical service is adequate for the needs of the area, and my right hon. Friend has every reason to believe that the authorities generally are alive to their responsibilities. As regards the last part, my right hon. Friend has already stated that the whole position will be considered in the light of the first report of the Government Actuary on the financial operation of the Contributory Pensions Acts.
§ Mr. T. SMITHCan the hon. Gentleman say when we are likely to have this report?
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESCan the hon. Gentleman say that his Department really cannot distinguish between the amount a man loses in connection with medical benefit under National Health Insurance and the amount he loses in respect of contributory pension under the other scheme, and may not the report he is expecting have nothing to do with the amount lost in respect of medical benefit?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThey are linked together, and the whole matter is receiving active consideration.
§ Sir W. BRASSIs it not possible for those who need medical benefit to see panel doctors?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODWill the hon. Gentleman ask the Minister of Health to see to it that those individuals who have been cut off as a result of long unemployment are allowed to go to panel doctors instead of to Poor Law doctors, because they feel that it is degrading and they do not want to be degraded any further?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREThat is one of the chief points we have under consideration.
§ Mr. LOGANDo I take it that it is the intention of the Minister to re-establish the Prolongation Act, in order to give an opportunity for panel cases to be dealt with?