HC Deb 11 March 1954 vol 524 cc2414-5
22 Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of complaints that out-patients at hospitals often are kept waiting unduly long by consultants arriving late for their appointments; and whether he will issue instructions to remedy this.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am aware that there are complaints from time to time and, of course, in the event of any serious alleged mismanagement I am always prepared to look into it. But generally I regard these matters as primarily for the hospital authorities themselves to manage.

Mr. Jeger

But does not the Minister agree that the hospital authorities would be loth to have any bad feeling between themselves and the consultants, and consequently they take no action although they grumble privately? Would not the right hon. Gentleman look further into this matter, because it is no use hospitals having appointments systems if the consultants do not keep to them?

Mr. Macleod

As I told the House last week, I am looking into this matter to see if we can collect any useful information which we might send in the form of a circular to the hospitals.

Mr. K. Robinson

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that what normally happens is that patients are summoned at least a quarter of an hour before the first can be seen by the consultant if he arrives on time, and that they always arrive a quarter of an hour before they are summoned, so that there is a minimum delay of half an hour before any can possibly be seen?

Mr. Macleod

From his great experience, the hon. Gentleman knows that there are a number of other complications as well. To mention one, some of the places—this is an excellent thing and I am not criticising it—are so pleasant and attractive, and the canteen is so delightful, that many patients arrive early and treat the place as a club.

Mr. Rankin

Is not the root of the trouble that the consultant is also in private practice?