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Public Health

Volume 390: debated on Thursday 10 June 1943

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Panel Doctors

40.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give details of the statutory schemes which, in the case of insurance practitioners absent from their practices by reason of war service, abrogate Clause 11 (7) of the Terms of Service scheduled to the Medical Benefit Regulations, 1936, defining the responsibility of practitioners for all the acts and omissions of any practitioners acting as their deputies or assistants; and in what way that provision has been legally abrogated or modified where there is no statutory scheme applicable to an area and the Protection of Practices Scheme exclusively applies?

I will send my hon. Friend copies of the provisions applicable to statutory and voluntary schemes which place a practitioner attending an absentee practitioner's patients in the position of a principal in respect of those patients for the purposes of the Medical Benefit Regulations and Terms of Service.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that owing to the widespread call-up of younger practitioners the contract between panel doctors and the insurance committees cannot be continued, and in view of that what will be done when the patient cannot get service?

Does the Minister mean to say that the regulations governing panel practice are being carried out just now?

Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the provisions applicable to the scheme which I will send him.

Radiology

41.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the students of the only post-graduate course in medical radiology at present operating in this country have protested against the way it is conducted; and whether, in view of the present urgent need for radiologists, both in civil practice and the Services, he will consider exercising some measure of control over the British Institute of Radiology who are the responsible body?

The method of conducting this course is a matter for the university authorities and is not within my province. In any case I am informed that the British Institute of Radiology is not responsible for the course, but provides premises and other facilities for lectures arranged on behalf of London University through its Special Advisory Board for the Diploma in Medical Radiology. My officers are discussing with this latter body the arrangements that can be made in the coming academic year to provide post-graduate instruction for suitable students, in order to meet the requirements of civil hospitals and the Services.

Is it not a fact that the Institute is responsible for the granting of a diploma, and that in consequence of the conditions it lays down it is held by technicians attempting to do their work properly that they are being handicapped?

I have said that we are discussing that particular aspect of the question.

Penicillin Clinical Trials Committee

48.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will give the names of the committee established by the Medical Research Council in connection with penicillin; and whether this committee is charged with the direction and conduct of clinical trials?

The Committee is known as the Pencillin Clinical Trials Committee; its function is to organise clinical trials with pencillin. With permission I will circulate the names of the ten members in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is there co-operation or consultation between that Committee and the Committee set up by the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Supply?

Yes, Sir. The function of the latter Committee is primarily concerned with production, although it has to take clinical requirements into account. The Committee with which I am concerned has to organise and supervise clinical trials. There is considerable ground of common interest between the two.

Is the right bon. Gentleman satisfied with the attempts now being made to manufacture this invaluable preparation?

Following are the names:

  • Professor H. R. Dean (Chairman),
  • Dr. A. N. Drury,
  • Professor A. Fleming,
  • Professor H. W. Florey,
  • Dr. Percival Hartley,
  • Mr. R. Vaughan Hudson,
  • Dr. C. N. Scott,
  • Dr. J. W. Trevan,
  • Professor R. V. Christie (Secretary), and
  • Professor L. P. Garrod (Assistant Secretary).

National Health Service

59, 60, and 61.

asked the Minister of Health (1) on what facts he bases his opinion that the imple- mentation of Assumption B by the introduction of a salaried medical service is now in the discard;

(2) how he proposes to obtain the views of the doctors in the services and those who are not members of any organisation on the future of medical practice;

(3) how he proposes to obtain the views of the people on a State Medical Service and on the extension of the present system of. medical practice, respectively, before he issues a white Paper?

I have repeatedly tried to make it clear that the recently-resumed discussions with the representative committee of medical men and women are to be regarded as only a preliminary and non-committal exchange of ideas, that I hope as the next step to publish the Government's appreciation of the main issues involved, and that this publication will afford everyone—including those in the Forces—a full opportunity of open and public discussion before final decisions are taken.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, why do the British Medical Association quote him as saying that the salaried medical service is in discard?

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that the future health service must deal primarily with the needs of the people, and not with those of the doctors?

The needs of the people are the primary issue, and my hon. Friend understands that there are many other bodies besides doctors to be consulted.

Will my right hon. Friend make it quite clear that what he is seeking is not a State medical service, but a comprehensive health service, based on co-operation between the medical profession, the voluntary agencies and the local authorities?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the medical profession repudiate any idea of becoming full-time civil servants?