§ 30. Mrs. L. Jegerasked the Minister of Health what arrangements exist under the National Health Service for radiographers to be on duty on Sundays at hospitals in Holborn and St. Pancras particularly, and in central London generally.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithIn Holborn and St. Pancras, four hospitals have radiographers on "stand-by" duty at the hospital, and six have radiographers "on-call". I have no evidence to suggest that similar arrangements are not made at other hospitals in central London for emergency services where necessary, but if the hon. Lady has any particular hospital in mind I will make inquiries.
§ Mrs. JegerIs the Minister aware, for example, that a child casualty was kept waiting over two hours last Sunday at 8 one of our big teaching hospitals while a radiographer was summoned from her home a long journey from London? Does this not indicate that the question of pay and conditions of radiographers needs looking into? Surely people should be able to expect immediate service of this kind for casualties on a Sunday in central London?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThese arrangements have been in force since 1952 in order to provide an X-ray service at times outside the normal working hours of the X-ray department. I have no reason to suppose that, in general, they have not worked well. If the hon. Lady has any particular instance into which she thinks I should look further, I shall, of course, be happy to do so if she will be good enough to send details to me.