HC Deb 18 April 1940 vol 359 cc1144-5W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to remedy cases of individual hardship among London consultants of great experience and of senior rank who volunteered for Emergency Medical Service before the outbreak of war, but who still remain on the deferred list unpaid, while at the same time consultants of junior rank who have applied for permission to join one of the fighting services in a medical capacity have been informed that they cannot be released from the Emergency Medical Service?

Mr. Elliot

The hon. Member will, I am sure, appreciate that the decision whether practitioners are to be called up for employment in the Emergency Medical Service or whether members of the service are to be released to the Armed Forces, must dependon the needs of the Emergency Hospital Scheme in relation to other demands on medical personnel, including those of the Armed Forces.

Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a medical consultant, enrolled for whole-time service in August last, finding, when called up for service, practically nothing to do, accepted through his sector officer payment on a sessional basis in accordance with Clause 4 of his original contract, but, on applying for an appointment on a part-time basis on the terms offered last November to a large number of consultants, was refused on the ground that by taking sessional payment he had forfeited the option of part-time service; and whether he will review this decision?

Mr. Elliot

The practitioner to whom it is understood the hon. Member refers was enrolled on a whole-time basis, but at his own request the enrolment was cancelled in favour of enrolment on a sessional basis, under which payment is made as and when services are required under the scheme. The subsequent offer applied only to those who were employed for whole-time service at the time of the offer.

Mr. Groves

asked the Minister of Health how it is proposed to deal with a casualty under the scheme for the domiciliary treatment of civilian war casualties when the casualty, after a few weeks' treatment, removes to another part of the country?

Mr. Elliot

Pending further experience of the working of the scheme, I have not thought it necessary to make special provision for this exceptional type of case.