§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health what provisions exist for the reimbursement of travelling expenses for out-patients compelled to travel some distance to a hospital to receive treatment.
§ Mr. LoughlinTravelling expenses for out-patients are reimbursed when payment causes hardship to the patient. Hardship is at present assessed on my behalf by the National Assistance Board; this task will be carried out by the Supplementary Benefits Commission of the Ministry of Social Security from 28th November, 1966.
§ Mr. Lomasasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the hardship caused to persons who are required to absent themselves from work to receive treatment as out-patients at a hospital and thereby lose the whole or a proportion of a day's pay; and if he will take steps to end this hardship.
§ Mr. LoughlinMy right hon. Friend has no power under the National Health Service Acts to reimburse loss of pay because of out-patient attendance. Hospital authorities have been asked to keep their out-patient appointment systems under review with the aim of reducing time spent at the hospital unnecessarily.