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Hospitals (Admissions)

Volume 465: debated on Thursday 2 June 1949

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11.

asked the Minister of Health why Mrs. Gorman, of Streatham, is still sixth on Brompton Hospital list for admission, which was her position two and a half months ago; and how many tuberculosis patients have been discharged from that hospital and how many have been admitted since Mrs. Gorman's application was made.

Mrs. Gorman is sixth on the waiting list for treatment by a particular physician at Brompton Hospital—not on a general waiting list of that hospital. Admission depends not only on the position on a waiting list, but also on the relative urgency of other cases. Some 250 patients have been discharged, and the same number admitted to the hospital since Mrs. Gorman's name was put on the waiting list.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why this woman is still sixth on the list after waiting two months, when she was sixth before?

The reason is because in the estimation of the doctor who is to attend her, other cases are more urgent.

As it seems a most extraordinary situation, will the Minister look at the case again, bearing in mind that this lady was for 18 years a State registered nurse and contracted this disease while following her noble profession?

I made certain inquiries before I gave the answer, but I will certainly make more inquiries.

27.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that persons, who have been told that they would have to wait many months for admission to hospital as ordinary patients, are being admitted at once to the same hospital if willing and able to pay for accommodation and treatment; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this.

This should not occur if there is any question of urgency. If, nevertheless, it has happened in such a case it is contrary to my instructions to regional hospital boards and hospital management committees and I will investigate examples.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will take precautions to see that his desires, with which we are acquainted, and his instructions are really carried out by these hospital authorities, because they are not being carried out at the present time?

I can only make sure that they are being carried out if hon. Members will let me have instances where they are not.