Dr. Morganasked the Postmaster-General (1) whether, in any Government social security scheme now being planned, he will ensure for Post Office employees medical services equal to any available for the rest of the community so that these medical services will be no longer on a capitation-fee basis without the patient's choice of doctor; and what measures of rehabilitation, surgical and medical, are being planned for Post Office workers;
(2) what consideration has been given or plans prepared for changes in the Post Office medical services and for variations in the medical contracts of local Post Office doctors, and if he has consulted the Minister of Reconstruction with a view to the inclusion of Post Office employees in the advantages of the proposed National Health service?
§ Captain CrookshankI am unable to make any statement at the present time in regard to the position of Post Office servants under any Government health scheme.
Dr. Morganasked the Postmaster-General whether the Post Office medical service is still considered primarily supervisory rather than curative or ameliorative; whether this service is still confined strictly to a general practitioner service; and whether extension is contemplated to consultant or institutional medical services?
§ Captain CrookshankThe Post Office medical service is primarily curative and not supervisory. It is limited to general practitioner service. The position will be reviewed in the light of any arrangements which may be introduced under any general Government health scheme.
Dr. Morganasked the Postmaster-General whether a strict record is kept in the Post Office medical statistics of complaints against Post Office medical officers in the course of medical attention given to Post Office employees under the Post Office medical arrangements; and what 796W arbitration machinery is available in cases where the patient's health is damaged?
§ Captain CrookshankA record is kept in the Headquarters medical branch of the Post Office of complaints against Post Office medical officers in regard to the medical attention given to Post Office servants. No arbitration machinery is provided.