HC Deb 22 April 1958 vol 586 cc756-8
20. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is able to meet in any way the suggestions of the health services advisory councils to make possible, by assistance towards travelling costs, attendance at the main hospitals of patients from outlying districts to receive essential specialist treatment.

27. Mr. Grimond

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has considered the recommendations made by the Scottish Association of Executive Councils for the payment of travelling expenses by patients from remote areas; and if he will now give further consideration to the question of affording them some relief.

Mr. J. N. Browne

My right hon. Friend regrets that he sees no prospect of extending the present arrangements under which travelling expenses are defrayed in whole or in part when the patient's inability to meet them is established.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister aware of the suggestion that, in order to save patients embarrassment or loss by travel in sparsely populated areas, doctors are refraining from recommending them to go to infirmaries at Inverness and elsewhere? Will he look into the matter to see whether some arrangement can be made, where regular attendance at hospitals would be of advantage or is necessary, whereby patients should not be prevented from going there by reason of exorbitant costs?

Mr. Browne

There is no evidence, according to my advice, that any patient in Scotland is prevented from receiving hospital treatment because he cannot afford the journey. If the right hon. Member has any particular case of which to advise me I shall be grateful to have details of it.

Mr. John MacLeod

Will my hon. Friend look at this question again, on which I have sent him cases? There are instances of great hardship among those who have to stay away for nights. This sort of thing should be taken into consideration, because it is definitely hampering people from getting the full benefit of the Health Service.

Mr. Browne

I fully appreciate that, but the position of individual patients in the Highlands is not very different from that of patients in other remote districts in Scotland and England. Such a concession could not be made in respect of one particular area.