HC Deb 25 June 1956 vol 555 cc23-4
39. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health whether hospital staff who require medicaments as a result of accidents sustained in the course of their work are liable, under his regulations, to pay prescription charges to the dispensary of the hospital concerned.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

No charge is payable for immediate treatment of an injury, but otherwise hospital employees, like other persons, are liable to pay this charge for drugs supplied from hospital out-patient departments.

Mr. Robinson

Is the hon. Lady aware that a member of a teaching hospital staff recently, who cut himself with a scalpel in the course of his duties, was charged a prescription charge by his own hospital dispensary for an anti-tetanus injection, and is not this a ridiculous procedure and will the hon. Lady undertake to see that it stops?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I think that the example given by the hon. Gentleman is a rare one. I should have thought it qualified for immediate treatment as a casualty and I am surprised that the hon. Gentleman has had to bring it to our notice. If he likes to give me the details, I shall be happy to look into them.

Mr. J. Griffiths

Will the Minister ensure that in cases of accidents treatment is given free of cost, as was envisaged in the Industrial Injuries Act?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

That is another question. I shall be pleased to look into it if the right hon. Gentleman will kindly put down a Question.