§ 30. Mr. Burkeasked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the 18 regulations of his Department cause unnecessary suffering to ex-Service men applying for entrance to Ministry of Pensions hospitals because of the delay between the initial application to the chief area officer and the final action following the medical report, during which time applicants cannot take local medical advice; and whether he will consider the amendment of these regulations?
§ The Minister of Pensions (Mr. Ramsbotham)The Ministry's regulations are expressly designed to avoid delay in securing any necessary treatment. The local medical staff of the Ministry have instructions, in every case of suspected urgency, to obtain admission to hospital, if necessary, immediately on the man's application or following medical examination. In fact, about one-half of the applications are so dealt with. In other cases, many of which will not have been seen by the Ministry for several years, information may have to be obtained from the man's private doctor and other investigations made in order to determine the appropriate treatment to be given by the Ministry. In the bulk of these cases admission to hospital is secured in from seven to nine days, during which the patient remains free to seek the advice of his panel practitioner if he requires it. I am satisfied that the practice of the Ministry is generally as expeditious as it can be made, but if the hon. Member has any cases in mind in which undue delay appears to have occurred, I will gladly look into them.
§ Mr. BurkeWould the Minister give power to the man's own doctor to summon a local Department doctor without having to do it through the area officer?
§ Mr. RamsbothamI am anxious to avoid possible delay. Perhaps the hon. Member will see me afterwards to discuss his suggestion.