HC Deb 05 February 1913 vol 47 cc2214-5W
Mr. WRIGHT

asked the Secretary to Treasury whether the taking of responsibility for an insured person by a doctor, who has joined the panel, dates from the time when the doctor signs the insured person's card; whether he is aware that in some districts insured persons not in immediate need of treatment are taking no steps to have their cards signed and are unaware of any necessity to have them signed, and doctors are thereby suffering loss; and whether he will take the necessary steps to induce such insured persons to have their cards signed?

Mr. MASTERMAN

The doctors upon a panel which is adequate have collectively taken responsibility for all the insured persons in the district, and unless any doctor's list is closed an insured person may come on it by selection and acceptance at any time before allocation by the insurance committee. The total amount available for insured persons, well or ill, in the area will be divided amongst the doctors who have thus accepted responsibility for them; and the allocation of patients will carry payment in respect of them as from 15th January.

Mr. POINTER

asked the Secretary to (he Treasury if he is aware that many employers are approaching the insurance committees with a view to obtaining the right to themselves provide the medical man for their employés, and in return they are demanding from the insurance committees the money which has been allocated to the committees by the societies for the medical treatment of their members; and whether this action will, in the best interests of the men, be sanctioned, seeing that the doctor will then be virtually in the employ of the employer?

Mr. MASTERMAN

It would be contrary to the spirit and intention of the National Insurance Act and the Regulations for an insurance committee to allow insured persons to make their own arrangements for medical attendance and treatment and to contribute towards the cost thereof in circumstances such as those to which the hon. Member refers. Perhaps my hon. Friend would inform me of any cases of the kind which he may have in mind.