HC Deb 24 February 1949 vol 461 c2001
19. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce regulations to make eligible to receive medicines and drugs free of charge under the National Health Service those private patients who were refused admission to the panel of the doctor of their choice because he considered that they reside at an uneconomic distance from his surgery.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Aneurin Bevan)

No, Sir.

Mr. Skinnard

Is the Minister of Health aware that very often a doctor has a good case for refusing to put a patient on the panel, but in the patient's case there is a very serious reason why he should remain for a time at any rate with the private doctor of his original choice?

Mr. Bevan

I can see no point in that at all. If the doctor does not take the patient, the patient should seek another doctor. That is no justification for amending the whole of the Act.