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Tuberculosis (Treatment)

Volume 498: debated on Thursday 3 April 1952

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6.

asked the Minister of Health in view of the fact that some 8,000 persons in the United Kingdom suffering from tuberculosis are awaiting admission to sanatoria, if he will consider sending some of these cases to sanatoria in Switzerland where there are many vacant beds and where the cost per bed compares favourably with the cost in this country.

One hundred and thirty sanatorium beds in Switzerland are already being used in this way, and I am not satisfied that it would be justifiable to increase this number in present circumstances.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that owing to the long waiting lists, the time between diagnosis and admission is up to nine months throughout the country, and that even in Birmingham, where we pride ourselves on being well advanced in the treatment of tuberculosis, there is a three months waiting list? Surely, with beds empty in Switzerland, it would cost no more to this country to send people there?

I think the hon. Gentleman is a little pessimistic. The bed situation is nothing like as bad as he suggests. As a matter of fact it has sometimes been found that, by the time a person has been selected and made ready to go to Switzerland, a bed is available in this country.

If the Minister thinks it an economic proposition to send 130, could he not try to send 1,030? In the long run, the saving made by stopping infection spreading throughout the country would represent an enormous economic advantage?

I hope that the Minister will be prepared to make inquiries into his own statement, because the chief T.B. officer for Birmingham has stated recently that the waiting period is three months in Birmingham, and up to nine months in the rest of the country.

11.

asked the Minister of Health how many tuberculosis patients awaiting admission to sanatoria have been on those lists for more than 12 months in Monmouthshire and in Wales, respectively.

For sanatoria and tuberculosis hospitals, the figures are 27 in Monmouthshire and 125 in Wales, excluding Monmouthshire.

12.

asked the Minister of Health how many people suffering from tuberculosis are on the waiting list for admission to sanatoria in Monmouthshire and in Wales, respectively.

The number waiting for admission to sanatoria and tuberculosis hospitals on 29th March was 182 in Monmouthshire and 759 in Wales, excluding Monmouthshire.

Can the Minister give any idea as to when he will be able to reduce this list, which I believe is growing monthly?

I have given the House the trend of the figures. I should like to see a Question on the Paper about the point raised by the hon. Member, which I cannot answer offhand.