§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that doctors attached to Emergency Medical Service hospitals complain that there are often four largely independent executive officers situated in different towns in respect of a single hospital and that this is occasioning delay and difficulty; and whether he will look into the matter with a view to promptitude in dealing with cases and general efficiency?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI have seen correspondence in the medical Press to the effect stated in the first part of the Question. The officers referred to are not independent of one another, and their respective functions have been defined. There is no reason why delay or difficulty should occur if the instructions are properly observed, but the arrangements are kept constantly under review by my officers who take the necessary action if difficulty arises in any particular case.
§ Mr. Grovesasked the Minister of Health whether he will put an end to the serious differentiation in Lambeth, Southwark, Camberwell and Dulwich between members and non-members of the British Medical Association, in view of the fact that the local medical war committees or local emergency committees in those districts are controlled by the Association or its adherents, with the result that, irrespective of age or experience, appointments available to medical men in con- 2000W nection with air-raid precautions and other emergency work are made to members of the Association only, and in one case a young doctor has been given several appointments to the prejudice of older doctors?
Mr. MacDonaldThe two local medical war committees, one for Lambeth and Southwark, and the other for Camberwell and Dulwich, each include two members who do not belong to the British Medical Association, out of a total membership of 10 and 8 respectively. I have no evidence of discrimination against non-members of the Association in selecting practitioners for appointments of the kind referred to in the Question. I am informed that of the 21 members of medical boards in the Lambeth and Southwark area 12 do not belong to the Association, whilst in the Camberwell and Dulwich area 3 out of 12 are not members of the Association. Of the practitioners appointed to first aid posts, numbering 18 and 16 respectively, exactly half in each case are not members of the Association. I have been unable to identify the case of the young doctor mentioned at the end of the Question.
§ Captain A. Grahamasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that no facilities exist for the treatment of air-raid casualties amongst the 17,000 persons resident in a district of which he has been informed, apart from one mobile first-aid unit; and whether he will direct the county council involved, as the scheme-making authority, to establish forthwith at least one fixed first-aid post in this district?
Mr. MacDonaldApart from the local hospitals, the provision made for air-raid casualties in the district referred to consists of one mobile first-aid post, but the mobile first-aid posts of adjoining districts are also available if necessary. The county council has taken the view that this provision is adequate, but I am asking my local officers to make further inquiry and I will communicate with my hon. Friend when I have received their reports.
§ Mr. T. Smithasked the Minister of Health whether he can state the approximate percentage of air-raid casualties calling for some measure of treatment of the eye; and to what extent such casualties had been dealt with at first-aid casualty posts and hospitals?
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Mr. MacDonaldI regret that this information is not at present available. Ali hospitals receiving casualties are, however, being asked to make periodical returns showing the number of eye injuries dealt with, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I have the necessary facts. I do not think it necessary to obtain special returns from first-aid posts, as the more serious cases will pass through the hospitals.