§ 37. Mr. Lipsonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will amend the Belt and Corset Order, 1942, so that it shall not apply to repeat orders, as the existing Order involves patients in the expense of two visits to doctors and the latter in unnecessary work at a time when, owing to the shortage of doctors, they are already overworked?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Captain Waterhouse)Though my right hon. Friend is naturally very reluctant to add to the heavy burdens of the medical profession, the arrangements for the supply of special surgical belts were made in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health. I am advised that in most cases only a patient's doctor is in a position to determine whether it is necessary for a surgical belt to be replaced, and for this reason I fear that I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman really think that it is reasonable to expect a patient who has been advised by a doctor to wear a surgical belt for some years, when it is worn out, to have to pay two visits to a doctor, which involves him in unnecessary expense; and will he reconsider the matter?
§ Captain WaterhouseThere is no reason at all why a medical practitioner should not give an order to a patient for more than one belt if the circumstances are such as the hon. Member indicates.
§ Mr. LipsonThat is not the point of my Question. If people who may have worn a belt for years simply have to replace it, surely it is not usual for them to go to a doctor every time it has to be replaced?
§ Captain WaterhouseWe are dealing with a war-time restriction, and I hope that it any patient has to wear a belt for years, he will not have to pay many visits to the doctor.