§ 35. Mr. Dribergasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the form on which doctors claim payment for maternity medical services now contains nearly fifty items, as compared with twenty in the form previously used; why this additional clerical work by doctors is considered necessary; and how many extra clerks will have to be employed to check the more complicated new forms.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Miss Edith Pitt)Yes, Sir. The form was agreed with the profession so as to reflect revised conditions for the payment of fees. It reduces clerical work by saving correspondence.
§ Mr. DribergIs the hon. Lady aware that that ingenious but somewhat cloudy Answer will not dispel the suspicion that this represents a slight infiltration of 933 Parkinsonism into her Department? Will infantile or maternal mortality be reduced by one life as a result of this new form? If it will not, what is the point of making overworked doctors do extra clerical work, even if the bureaucrats at the head of their profession have agreed to it?
§ Miss PittSince this form only requires ticks to be placed against some of the questions, and not all need be answered, I think I am correct in claiming that it will save time both for doctors and executive councils. The reason for the introduction of the form was increased pay for maternity service. The short answer to the hon. Member's point is that terms of service and conditions for payment of fees are currently under discussion with the profession.