HC Deb 15 November 1949 vol 469 cc1852-3
39. Dr. Broughton

asked the Minister of National Insurance what persons are empowered by his regulations to refer cases to regional medical officers for a second medical opinion.

Mr. J. Griffiths

The regulations empower me to require sickness benefit claimants to undergo examination for a second medical opinion. The local office manager refers the cases selected to a senior medical officer of the Health Department who consults the patient's own doctor when deciding whether a case should go to the regional medical officer. The patient's doctor is invited to be present at any examination.

Dr. Broughton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that some medical practitioners would like to be able to refer some of their own patients to regional medical officers for a second opinion on fitness for work just as they refer cases to their professional colleagues for a second opinion on diagnosis and treatment, and will he discuss this matter with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health with a view to making simple arrangements whereby general medical practitioners may refer cases to regional medical officers?

Mr. Griffiths

Some of the general practitioners do refer cases to the regional medical officer, and that is a practice which we seek to encourage on every possible occasion.