asked the Minister for Health what is the position of a patient belonging to the middle income group in a local authority hospital regarding choice of doctor; whether such a patient can exercise choice of doctor while retaining his right to be maintained in hospital at a maximum charge of 10/- per day; if so, within what limits such choice may be exercised; and whether, under his present proposals for improvements in the health services, he intends to extend the scope of choice of doctor of these patients.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Right to Choice of Doctor.
88.
Mr. O'Malley
I take it that the question relates primarily to eligible patients treated in local authority county hospitals. In the case of most of the county hospitals, the patient would be under the care of the county surgeon or the county physician as appropriate to his condition. Except in the small number of local authority hospitals where a number of consultants in surgery and medicine are employed, the possibility of a choice of specialist in the particular discipline would not arise in an individual hospital. Where the possibility of choice exists, the patient could arrange with his family doctor to refer him to the out-patient clinic conducted by the specialist of his choice and his inpatient treatment, if found necessary, would normally be under the direction of that specialist. This does not, of course, mean that medical care would be given exclusively by this specialist. Usually medical staff working under the specialist's general direction would also be concerned with his care and treatment.
As regards the White Paper proposals, the change from county to regional organisation of the services should make it possible to improve in some degree the extent to which a choice might be made available. For example, a patient might elect to be treated in one county hospital rather than another in the region.
This is an aspect of the service to which the proposed regional boards may be expected to give close attention. I am confident that they will make such improvements in the position as to choice of hospital and specialist as may be feasible.