HC Deb 21 October 1943 vol 392 cc1516-7
66. Mr. Henry White

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give consideration to the position of industrial areas where there is either a shortage of doctors or an inability to obtain satisfactory relief so that attention can be given to patients; whether he is aware of the strain thus placed on the local doctors and the many long periods of waiting endured by the patients; and will he take steps to put into operation some system of transfer that would relieve the pressure and secure a more equitable method of medical attention?

Mr. E. Brown

The Central Medical War Committee and its local Committees, in selecting doctors to make up the quota required by His Majesty's Forces, do their best to maintain an adequate medical service for the civilian population, but I am afraid that in some areas there must inevitably be a heavy burden on the remaining doctors and some inconvenience for the public. For the areas most in need of help, arrangements are being made through the Central Medical War Committee, in accordance with a recommendation of the Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich (Sir G. Shakespeare) for the employment of suitable doctors as assistants in general practice. These will be selected mainly from those found unfit for service in the Forces and the powers of direction under the Defence Regulations will be used so far as appropriate for this purpose. If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular district where difficulties are arising, perhaps he will let me know and I will then have inquiries made.

Forward to