§ 9 and 10. Mr. John Hallasked the Minister of Health (1) if he will now amend the National Health Service Act, 1946, so as.to allow those who elect to become private patients to utilise the other facilities provided by the Act;
(2) if he will so amend the National Health Service Act, 1946, as to allow the provision to all private patients free of charge, other than the prescription charge, of a selected list of preventive and life saving drugs and drugs designed for the alleviation and treatment of lethal diseases.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Dennis Vosper)The private patients of general practitioners have full access to all the facilities of the National Health Service, other than the supply of drugs as part of general medical services. The provision of a selected list of drugs for private patients would raise many problems of great difficulty.
§ Mr. HallIs it not a fact that all insured persons pay for the National Health Service through their contributions, rates and taxes? Therefore, should not they be entitled to the benefits for which they have paid, even though they may opt to be private patients and pay 876 for their doctors out of their own pockets?
§ Mr. VosperAs I told my hon. Friend, this matter raises many problems of great difficulty, one being that it would require legislation. In addition, there would have to be some form of control of doctors who are not at present in the National Health Service. My predecessor invited the British Medical Association to discuss this matter with the Department, and those discussions are about to take place.
§ Dr. SummerskillWould the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that if an amendment of this kind were introduced it would create a specially privileged category of National Health Service patient, and, furthermore, would tend to encourage over-prescribing?
§ Mr. VosperI am not prepared to accept either of the right hon. Lady's allegations. I realise that there are many difficulties, but the matter is to be discussed with the British Medical Association, which has some proposals to make.
Mr. VaneMay I ask my right hon. Friend not to be diverted from his purpose by the right hon. Lady opposite? Will he look into the matter again and assure himself that these difficulties are real and not just imaginary bureaucratic difficulties? Why should not a person who pays a full contribution to the National Health Service be allowed just a part of the benefit? Surely it is in the national interest to allow him to do this, instead of forcing him to take the whole or none?
§ Mr. VosperThe difficulties are very real. As I said, discussions are about to take place. I promise that I will examine my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mrs. BraddockIs the right non Gentleman aware that there is a great amount of feeling in the country that people who pay for their treatment arc privileged and get quicker treatment in hospitals than do National Health Service patients? Will he make certain that there is no increase in this sort of procedure?
§ Mr. VosperThat is another question, which hardly arises from this one.
§ Dame Florence HorsbrughWhen considering this problem, will my right 877 hon. Friend take into account the fact that with the higher charges more money will be paid by people for the National Health Service? That fact should be taken into consideration when considering the problem.
§ Mr. VosperI will do that.