§ Sir K. WOODasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the steps he proposes to take in connection with the recommendation of the court of inquiry into the remuneration of medical practitioners on the panel
§ Mr. WHEATLEYThe question of introducing the legislation required to give effect to the recommendations of the court of inquiry is now under consideration and I am not yet in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. THURTLEasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to amend the existing National Health Insurance Acts in such a way as to provide that when an insured person is admitted to a public institution for treatment the panel practitioner responsible for the case should be subjected to a reduction of his panel fee in respect of his failure to supply medical attention in accordance with his contract?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYWhen an insured person is under treatment in an' institution with a selected medical staff, which is not open to all general practitioners in the area, the obligation of the insurance practitioner to provide treatment ceases for the time being. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension in suggesting that in such cases there has been any failure on the practitioner's part to fulfil his contract, and I see no ground for reducing the capitation fee, in fixing which the limits of the obligation in regard to institutional treatment were taken into account.