§ 35. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health whether he will circularise all doctors informing them of their right to prescribe quantities sufficient for a period of three months or more of items required by diabetics.
§ Mr. VosperI have no reason to doubt that doctors know they can prescribe sufficient medicaments to last for considerable periods in suitable cases where the need is a continuing one.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the Minister aware that when a diabetic in my constituency took the circular of the British Diabetic Association to her doctor and pointed out that he could prescribe for a three months' period, he said that he was totally unaware of any such facilities and could, therefore, prescribe for only two weeks? I have sent details of this case to the Parliamentary Secretary. Is it not important fully to inform doctors of this matter?
§ Mr. VosperI am naturally reluctant to issue circulars to general practitioners, most of whom are aware of these provisions, but I think that this will help again to bring the matter to their notice.
§ Dr. SummerskillWhy has the British Diabetic Association, which is a voluntary body, circularised doctors in the name of the Minister? Why is he prepared to accept that and not do it himself?
§ Mr. VosperI was not aware that the Association had used my name in its circular, but I feel that this matter has been brought to the notice of doctors, and I am not aware of other individual cases like that mentioned by the hon. Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle).
§ 36. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health what multiple packs of medical supplies may at present be prescribed by doctors as one item for the purposes of the prescription charge; and what suggestions he has now received from the British Medical Association for further multiple packs.
§ Mr. VosperI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 18th February to the right hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Ness Edwards). No suggestions for further multiple packs have so far been received from the British Medical Association.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the Minister aware that he may himself have discouraged the British Medical Association by suggesting on 11th February that it was doubtful whether any further composite packs could be provided? Can he explain why there has been no approach by the B.M.A., if it is not because he has discouraged it?
§ Mr. VosperI am sorry if I have discouraged the Association, but I am afraid that it is doubtful whether further packs will be forthcoming. I am in communication with the British Medical Association, which may still have further suggestions to make.
§ Dr. SummerskillWill the Minister authorise doctors to treat all chronic cases who need more than one item in the same way as diabetics are treated?
§ Mr. VosperI do not think that I can answer that in general terms. These are cases which must be dealt with on their individual merits.
§ 41. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health whether patients suffering from ileostomy and who usually have five items prescribed on each form for their 25 disability, may now receive sufficient supplies which will last for three months on one prescription.
§ Mr. VosperI am advised that the items normally required in these cases can, at the doctor's discretion, be ordered in sufficient quantities to last for a considerable period, which might be three months.
§ Dr. StrossWhile thanking the Minister for that specific statement on behalf of these unfortunate patients, will he provide conveyances to take the material away, as it weighs about 50 1b?
§ Mr. VosperI will look at that, but I think the hon. Gentleman will find that the answer is entirely favourable to his original Question.
§ 51. Mrs. Castleasked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the resolution forwarded to him by the Blackburn Executive Council protesting against the recent increase in the prescription charges?
§ Mr. VosperI have informed the Executive Council that the Government decided that the revised charges were necessary because of the present financial and economic situation, but that every effort is being and will be made to avoid hardship, and the working of the new arrangements will be closely watched with this in view.
§ Mrs. CastleIs the Minister aware that the executive council passed this resolution unanimously and that those members who were strongest in their condemnation of the increase were the doctors, speaking from a professional point of view, one of whom described the increase as another in a series of Ministry blunders over recent months? Is it not a fact that an increasing number of executive councils are protesting simply because the experience of the doctors shows that the Ministry's safeguards to help chronic cases and the like are, in fact, valueless?
§ Mr. VosperThe number of executive councils who have protested is surprisingly small. If, however, the hon. Lady or the Executive Council can send me details of cases of individual hardship, I will investigate them as closely as I have done those that I have received already.