HC Deb 25 November 1963 vol 685 cc31-3
42. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Minister of Health if a consultant in part-time hospital employ is able to prescribe drugs to his privately fee-paying patients at the expense of the National Health Service; what check is made on drugs prescribed to hospital patients; and if he will make a statement.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Anthony Barber)

No, Sir. Hospital authorities are responsible for the administration of the rules governing the prescribing of drugs for hospital patients and have standing committees for this purpose.

Mr. Pavitt

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many consultants sincerely believe that private patients should be permitted to have their drugs free? In those circumstances, is it not the responsibility of the Ministry to make sure that they are not subjected to temptation in this respect? May I, at the same time, welcome the right hon. Gentleman to the Dispatch Box for the first time in his new capacity and also ask whether he would reaffirm the attitude of his two predecessors, and continue to oppose the issue of free drugs to private patients?

Mr. Barber

The position is as I stated it originally. A private patient pays for the cost of the drugs as part of the general hospital charge for accommodation and services. In the case of the private out-patient, a private prescription should be issued by his doctor.

Mr. K. Robinson

May I add my congratulations to the right hon. Gentleman on his promotion and assure him of our good wishes during what will inevitably be a very short tenure of office? Would the right hon. Gentleman be a little more explicit in the assurance for which my hon. Friend asked?

Mr. Barber

No, Sir. I do not think that I can add to what my predecessor has said on a number of occasions. The hon. Gentleman, to whom I am grateful for his good wishes, knows quite well that Section 5 of the Act lays down that a private patient shall undertake to pay charges designed to cover the whole cost of accommodation and services provided for him.

Dame Patricia Hornsby-Smith

Would my hon. Friend not agree that the implication in this Question is a great slander on the integrity of consultants, in that it is suggested that they are affording to their private patients facilities to which they are not entitled?

Mr. Barber

Of course, if any hon. Member knows of any case in which it is thought the present machinery is being abused I will be only too happy to look into it.