Mr. R. C. Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, in view of the fact that there is a waiting list of 463 for hernia operations in the area provided for by the Southampton Group Hospital Management Committee, he will have consultations with that committee to ensure that patients using National Health Service beds who have previously visited consultants in a fee paying capacity do not have priority of admission to hospital over those who visit consultants as National Health Service patients.
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§ Mr. AlisonThe relative urgency and hence the date of admission of each patient must depend on the clinical judgment of the doctor concerned. I have no evidence which would bear out the allegation implied in the Question.