§ 97. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Health if he will give a list of services to be made available by the National Health Service Act, 1946, showing separately those which are free and those for which a charge may be made, and indicate how they compare with previous services.
§ Mr. J. EdwardsWith a very few exceptions all services under the National Health Service Act will be provided without charge, but as the details for which my hon. Friend asks involve a tabular statement I will, with permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
229WFollowing is the statement:
230W
Services to be provided under the National Health Service. Charges. Present provision. Hospital and specialist services of all types, including the supply of appliances. (1) For appliances of a more expensive type than the standard type and for replacements and repairs made necessary by carelessness. Voluntary hospitals and local authorities, who make charges according to the patient's ability to pay. (2) For private accommodation not required on medical grounds. Health Centres None None. Care of mothers and young children. Only for articles supplied Welfare Authorities have power to make arrangements for the care of mothers and young children. Domiciliary midwifery None Local Supervising Authorities who make charges according to the patient's ability to pay. Health Visiting None The service is primarily concerned with expectant and nursing mothers and young children (instead of with the health of the household as a whole). Home nursing None Mostly voluntary nursing associations who either provide nurses as a charity or in return for contributions. Vaccination and immunisation. None Facilities for vaccination by Public Vaccinators. Provision of diphtheria immunisation by local authorities. Ambulance services None Local authorities and voluntary organisations who are entitled to charge. Prevention of illness, care and after-care. Charges may be made, subject to consideration of means. Tuberculosis Care Committees (municipal or voluntary) in certain areas. Domestic help Ditto. The service is provided partly under the Public Health Act and partly under Defence Regulations instead of as part of a comprehensive health service. General medical services None Services provided without charge to persons who are entitled to medical benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts or are receiving Public Assistance medical services. General dental services Only for appliances of a more expensive type than the tsanddard type, for replacements made necessary by carelessness and. for certain special treatment more expensive than is clinically necessary. Service provided by some Approved Societies to insured persons as an additional benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts. The insured person normally pays a proportion of the cost. Pharmaceutical services None Service provided without charge to persons entitled to medical benefit or to those receiving Public Assistance medical services. Supplementary opthalmic services. Only for appliances of a more expensive type than the standdard types and for replacements and repairs made necessary by carelessness. Service provided by some Approved Societies to insured persons as an additional benefit. The insured person normally pays a proportion of the cost.