§ 37. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider transferring redundant supernumerary medical men from hospitals to relieve the over work of doctors in private practice who are unable to obtain assistants to cope with numerous panel patients, particularly in mining areas.
§ Mr. BevanI do not accept that there is redundancy in the medical staffing of hospitals. They are required to observe an establishment approved by the Central Medical War Committee; any doctors redundant to that establishment are normally free to transfer to general practice—but I have no powers of direction such as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. LeslieWould the Minister consider whether the supernumaries would not be serving a more useful purpose in assisting overworked doctors who have a large number of panel patients?
§ Mr. BevanAs I said in my reply, I have no powers of direction, but I hope that under the new National Health Bill we shall have powers which will provide a greater opportunity for redistribution.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeWill the Minister bear in mind that there is a considerable number of medical men in His Majesty's Forces who are not very fully employed and who might help in this direction?