§ 18. Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Minister of Health whether he will amend the National Health Service (Service Committees and Tribunal) Regulations, 1956, so as to extend the period within which a person must give notice to an area executive council of a complaint under the regulations beyond the existing six weeks' period and to empower him to require an area executive council to hear a complaint notwithstanding that the period of limitation for giving notice of complaints has expired.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonNo, Sir; there is already provision for extending the time limits in special cases.
§ Mr. JenkinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is only in very special cases? Does he not feel that the period of six weeks is a bit unrealistic, particularly in cases where there have been fatalities? Is it not unreal to expect members of families in those circumstances to get moving within that short a period?
§ Mr. RobinsonI think that, on the whole, this provision for extending the time limit is fairly liberally interpreted. Experience has shown that the earlier complaints are made the better chance there is of getting at the facts. It is particularly difficult for doctors to remember the precise circumstances if the time is extended very much beyond six weeks.