§ 37. Mr. Toucheasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that some persons joining the National Health Service have been told that they cannot retain the services of the doctor whom they have engaged for several years, because they live outside the area for which the doctor is zoned; and if he will amend the regulations to enable such persons to retain the services of their present medical advisers.
§ Mr. BevanA doctor has the right when joining the Service to fix the area within which he will visit patients in their homes, as he is required to do when necessary. There is nothing to stop him accepting patients who live outside this area provided he is prepared to visit them.