HC Deb 23 June 1949 vol 466 c440
36. Mr. Collins

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the uncertainty among a considerable section of the community about their rights to hospital and specialist treatment under the Health Service, he will issue, on a national scale, a leaflet indicating the main types of treatment available and the methods to be followed in securing them.

Mr. Bevan

A leaflet on these lines was distributed to every household in the Spring of 1948, and information is also available at local information bureaux.

Mr. Collins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that patients, having been informed by the doctor that they are urgently in need of specialist treatment, are often told that they can obtain it only if they pay privately?

Mr. Bevan

I should like to have information of any case of that sort, because [...]f that is done, it is, of course, extremely improper.