HC Deb 23 February 1949 vol 461 cc1836-7
6. Mr. John Lewis

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty by what means naval officers and ratings are made aware of the identity of Admiralty surgeons and agents who are civilian doctors with whom the Admiralty has made arrangements for the treatment of naval personnel when they are on leave.

Mr. W. Edwards

The names and addresses of Admiralty surgeons and agents are published in Admiralty Fleet Orders. A list is displayed on the notice boards of all H.M. ships and naval establishments at home. All ratings' leave tickets instruct them to consult this list before proceeding on leave.

7. Mr. J. Lewis

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the conditions under which the Admiralty pay the fees of civilian doctors for attendance on ratings on leave, and reimburse officers for expenses which they have incurred on leave, where circumstances are such that they are unable to consult an Admiralty surgeon and agent.

Mr. W. Edwards

The naval authorities should be informed as soon as possible that private treatment is being given, and they should be kept informed of the progress of the case. The naval medical authorities or the Admiralty surgeon and agent should be given the opportunity of taking over treatment as soon as circumstances permit. It is also necessary that the charges should be accepted as fair and reasonable.

Mr. Lewis

In an emergency, when an officer or rating has to go to a doctor, does the doctor apply to the Admiralty for the fee, or does he charge the man and leave it to the man himself to apply for reimbursement?

Mr. Edwards

For ratings the surgeon has to make the application. For officers, the officers themselves make their own application to the Admiralty for any expenses they incur.