17. Mr. McNeilasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of patients taken from the waiting lists of voluntary hospitals and treated in Emergency Medical Service hospitals under the scheme recently announced by him?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)Up to the end of last week, the number of patients referred from the waiting lists of voluntary hospitals, and treated in associated Emergency Scheme hospitals, was 3,210, of whom 1,125 were referred since the widening of the scheme announced at the beginning of this year.
Mr. McNeilWhile I should like to congratulate the Minister upon his success, I would ask him what is the approximate average cost to the Department per patient, in contrast with the flat charge which the Minister is making to the voluntary hospitals?
§ Mr. JohnstonI could not answer that Question off-hand, but I would say that 1789 the voluntary hospitals are asked to pay only a fiat charge of 30s. per patient, no matter how long the patient may remain in the associated hospital.