HC Deb 02 June 1949 vol 465 cc2285-7
5 and 6. Mr. Walter Fletcher

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many members of hospital medical staff in the Manchester region have been down-graded by means of a circular from the Regional Hospital Board informing them that they can no longer be considered as specialists; and what is the consequent saving to the Exchequer;

(2) whether he will state the methods adopted by the Manchester Regional Hospital Board and by their reviewing committee in assessing skill and competence and in judging the training sacrifice and intellectual capacity required for its attainment when recently determining the status of specialists; and why the specialists affected were not given any interview.

Mr. Bevan

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Denbigh (Sir H. Morris-Jones), on 13th May, and will send him a copy of the memorandum issued to Boards on this subject.

Mr. Fletcher

Would not the Minister like to take this opportunity of stating to the House that he thoroughly disagrees with the discourteous methods used to medical officers of very long standing, which, if continued, will undoubtedly lead to a considerable upset in the working of his plans; and, furthermore, will he say how one can judge a man's intellectual capacity if one does not even give him an interview—not confusing intellectual capacity with debating skill?

Mr. Bevan

With regard to the first part of the supplementary question, I am quite sure that no discourtesy is intended. With regard to the second part, these reviews are made by purely professional committees, over which I myself have no direct control nor do I desire to have control, and they themselves determine whether in their judgment an interview is necessary. However, arrangements are being made for reviews of cases where objection is taken.

Mr. Fletcher

Will not the Minister disagree with this method of not hearing a man who, after 15 to 20 years' service, suddenly finds himself demoted and receives a circular not even properly signed?

Mr. Bevan

There can be no question of being demoted, for this is the first review and demotion cannot indeed occur. As to whether an interview is necessary, this is a matter for the professional committee itself to decide. If the person concerned disagrees with the decision, he can make an appeal for a review to the same committee, which, however, will have added to it a doctor from the neighbouring area.

Sir Henry Morris-Jones

Is the Minister aware that part of the grievance of these men is the fact that, when they make an appeal, they make it to the very men who came to the first decision? Clearly, ought there not to be an appeal to another impartial body?

Mr. Bevan

As the body in itself, in the first place, is professional and impartial and contains all the professional knowledge required, it obviously would be redundant to have an appeal to another body having the same range of professional experience.

Mr. Fletcher

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment at the first opportunity.