Mr. Philips Priceasked the Minister of Health, with whom the final decision rests as to the need for supplying an ambulance transport for a patient to a hospital; and to what extent, before making such a decision, consideration is given to the distance that must be travelled, the state of the patient's health and the ability of the patient to pay for his own conveyance.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe local health authority, whose discretion is exercised through their medical officer of health. The over-riding consideration is the medical need for ambulance transport, which in practice is provided to the nearest place at which suitable treatment can be obtained. In these circumstances there is no charge. Other ambulance journeys may be arranged by the authority if they have transport available and on payment of the full cost of the journey by the patient or on his behalf.