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Tuberculosis (Sanatorium Treatment)

Volume 149: debated on Monday 19 December 1921

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asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the county council for the Soke of Peterborough have sent a communication to a female member of the National Union of Distributive Workers, Approved Society No. 296, informing her that she can secure sanatorium treatment only on the understanding that she is prepared to pay to that council a weekly sum equivalent to the amount of her State sickness benefit; and whether he will take steps to prevent this policy being pursued?

I have no information as to the particular case. I may, however, say that I have recently informed local authorities that they should require a contribution towards the cost of the residential treatment of persons suffering from tuberculosis in cases where the financial circumstances of the patient are such as to justify a charge; but that nothing should be done which would be likely to deter persons who are in need of treatment from accepting such treatment.