§ 8. Major Howard Johnsonasked the Minister of National Insurance whether she is aware that a certificate given by a general medical practitioner placing a person in quarantine cannot be accepted for a benefit claim; and, in view of the fact that this casts a slur upon such a practitioner, whether she will take the steps necessary to amend the National Insurance (Unemployment and Sickness Benefit) Regulations in this respect.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe Medical Officer of Health is responsible for action to prevent the spread of infectious disease, and it is in accordance with the recommendation of the National Insurance Advisory Committee that he is also the authority for the issue of insurance certificates in these cases. This implies no slur on general practitioners and I see no reason to alter the present provision.
§ Major JohnsonIs the right hon. Lady aware that when persons are placed in quarantine they are supposed to isolate themselves, and is it, therefore, a wise policy to require such persons to travel all over the town, probably by public transport, to locate the local medical officer of health in order to obtain two certificates—one from their own practitioner and one from their own local medical officer?
§ Dr. SummerskillWhen an individual is in quarantine in a household there must be a person in the same house who is suffering from an infectious disease, and the sequence of events is this: the individual suffering from the infectious disease obtains a certificate in the first place, and a nurse probably calls at the house within the next 48 hours. As the medical officer of health has to certify the condition for the sake of the person in 1038 quarantine, it is quite possible for him to obtain a certificate from the medical officer who calls to see the patient.
§ Major JohnsonWill the Minister undertake to see that something is done to facilitate the obtaining of the certificate from the local medical officer of health, because I assure the Minister that persons are having difficulty in finding the local medical officer of health and obtaining his certificate? Could some circular be issued to facilitate the procedure?
§ Dr. SummerskillI do not understand the hon. and gallant Gentleman's objection. I understood that he objected to these certificates being given by the medical officer, and now he is asking me to facilitate this.
§ Major JohnsonI was satisfied with the Minister's explanation. I now want her to advertise it locally so that it is made easy for persons to obtain the certificate of the local medical officer of health. I am quite satisfied with her explanation as to why it is necessary; now I want her to facilitate the procedure.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe person who knows it is the general practitioner, and he tells the patient who is suffering from the infectious disease, and the patient then tells his relation.