§ 7. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she is 219 satisfied that adequate provision exists to assist close relatives with the cost of visits to patients in hospital in rural areas where hospitals are at a great distance from the community served.
§ Mr. MeacherHelp for those in greatest need is available through the supplementary benefit scheme except for persons in full-time work who are disqualified from receiving such help. Additionally, there are a number of other possible sources of help, depending on the hospital concerned and the particular circumstances of the patient. The hospital social worker should be asked about these.
§ Mr. BeithDoes the Minister realise that despite the existence of these provisions there are people in my constituency, earning less than £30 a week, who have to find £3 a time for fares from Berwick, for example, to accompany relatives to hospital in Newcastle, and that others, who are seeking to obtain treatment for themselves in non-NHS premises—particularly dental services and chiropody—have to find the cost themselves? Will he carry out a review of this difficult situation in rural areas, so as to ensure that there is a free Health Service there as well as in urban areas?
§ Mr. MeacherI take it from what he says that the people to whom the hon. Gentleman refers are not eligible for supplementary benefit. If that is so, the Supplementary Benefits Commission will assist in some cases, to the extent that the margin of resources above needs, as defined in supplementary benefit terms, is insufficient to meet the necessary cost of visiting. It may be that in rural areas this is a means by which, in exceptional circumstances such as the hon. Gentleman has mentioned, assistance can be available.