HC Deb 24 February 1964 vol 690 cc1-2
1. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Minister of Health how many patients are now on the waiting list of Victoria Hospital, Accrington.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Anthony Barber)

One thousand, two hundred and thirteen at 31st December, 1963.

Mr. Hynd

In view of the long waiting list, will the Minister try to ensure that patients are admitted in strict order of medical need and not because they paid for some private consultation?

Mr. Barber

I must say that I am appalled that the hon. Gentleman repeatedly makes these allegations. Last December he said much the same sort of thing and referred to a particular case. Weeks have passed and not a jot of evidence about that case has reached me, although the hon. Gentleman has admitted that he has it in his possession. I really think it is scandalous, and I hope, as I have stated on a number of occasions, that in fairness to the medical profession he will let me have the details which are in his possession.

Mr. Hynd

Has the Minister seen the correspondence arising from that in the local Press in which a doctor wrote to say that he himself would never wait for admission because he paid and got admission straight away?

Mr. Barber

I should like to have the name and address and all the details which the hon. Gentleman has quoted in the News of the World on 29th December, and saying that he has information in his possession about a particular constituent. I have asked him on a number of occasions for these details. If he will let me have them I will pursue that allegation, but without the details I cannot do so.