Calderstones Hospital
35.
asked the Minister of Health if he will make a statement of the outcome of the review of patients detained in Calderstones Hospital.
Five hundred and fifty-one patients were discharged from compulsory powers during the six months beginning 1st November, 1960. The total number of patients subject to compulsory powers decreased during this period from 1,204 to 646.
Did the review reveal that some tragic mistake had been made? While welcoming the recent releases of patients who have been detained for periods up to 33 years, for which we should be grateful to the new superintendent, may I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that similar cases are still being brought to the attention of Lancashire Members of Parliament, including one case only last week?
I will always look at any case that hon. Members bring to my attention, but the right interpretation of these figures is that they represent the change in point of view and in approach which was embodied in the new Mental Health Act.
Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that all these long-stay patients will be reviewed by the medical superintendent and the hospital management board?
They all have been.
Already?
Yes, Sir.
General Infirmary, Leeds (Traffic Noise)
44.
asked the Minister of Health if he will make representations to the local traffic authorities in Leeds regarding the alleviation of noise outside the General Infirmary at Leeds.
I understand that the watch committee will receive a deputation from the hospital authority on this matter.
Is my hon. Friend aware that the nursing staff, as well as the teaching staff, of the infirmary are behind those who are seeking to secure some alleviation of this trouble, and that it is felt that a little help from the Minister of Health would assist those who are trying to look after the interests of the patients?
I am aware that there is noise from one of the streets—Calverley Street, I am told—but it is really a matter for the board of governors. The approach in this instance has come from the justices, and it is through them that the offer has been made for the watch committee to meet the board, which I think will be accepted.
Is the hon. Lady aware that a good deal of interest has been taken locally in this matter without perhaps the glare of publicity which comes from a Parliamentary Question by someone who does not represent the constituency? Nevertheless, is she also aware that, while the local people have been trying to do all they can, the Leeds Infirmary is situated on a very busy road right in the centre of Leeds and that it has not been possible for the local people to do everything that they would like to do?
I believe that my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Mr. Hiley) has a particular interest in the matter. I understand that he has a daughter who is nursing at the infirmary. As I said in my reply to him, I am aware that there is a noise problem and that the board of governors has been pressing this matter for some time.
While I support my hon. Friend the Member for Pudsey (Mr. Hiley) in respect of the Leeds Infirmary, may I ask my hon. Friend to bear in mind the devastating effect on patients at University College Hospital, London, of the new traffic regulations?
That is another Question.
Hospital Building (Tenders)
47.
asked the Minister of Health what reply he has had to his letter to the North East Metropolitan Hospital Board concerning the review of its procedure to enable fixed price tenders to be accepted more speedily.
I am telling hospital authorities generally that fixed price tenders should not be open for more than two months.
Is my right hon. Friend aware that I welcome that reply? I was disturbed because there was a certain amount of unnecessary delay in dealing with this Question before.
Nurses
48.
asked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the protest by the Confederation of Health Service Employees against his refusal to back-date the increase in pay for pre-student nurses to coincide with the recent increase in pay for other student nurses.
I am sending the hon. Lady a copy.
Am I to deduce from that reply that the Minister has turned down the Confederation's request that he should review his refusal to post-date these increases? If I am correct in believing that he is persisting in his refusal, might I now ask him if he will seriously consider, at any rate for the future, the importance of relating increases for nursing students with those of the pre-nursing students, so that these continuous pinpricks of irritation to this important area of recruitment into nursing may cease?
I am not sure whether the hon. Lady meant post-date or antedate, but this matter is not prejudged for the future. In this instance, the interval of time was, as I reminded her a week ago, much shorter than in the last preceding case.
Spastic Children
49.
asked the Minister of Health if he will state his plans for supplying permanent hospital accommodation for every bedridden spastic child.
Hospital authorities have been asked to propose long-term development programmes. My right hon. Friend would expect any shortages in this field to receive due priority in these programmes.
Does the hon. Lady recall that not long ago she sent me a letter saying that the Ministry was not aware of the number of bedridden spastic children? May I beg her and her right hon. Friend to realise that the parents of these children are in a terrible position, especially when there are other children to be looked after? It is a terrible strain upon them. Will she and her right hon. Friend give this matter the greatest urgency, find out the numbers of children involved, and make certain that accommodation is found for them?
No records are kept of waiting lists for spastic children because they can be accommodated in different kinds of hospitals. Some need orthopædic treatment and others need different accommodation. When plans are put before us, we will expect, because these children will be known also to local authorities, that regional hospital boards will take into account the needs of their areas.
Is the hon. Lady aware that this is to be a ten-year programme, so that it will be impossible to look after those children who are suffering now? Cannot she promise, in view of that, to do something now, as it is urgently necessary to make sure that permanent accommodation is found in hospitals for these children?
We are doing our best, but there are demands in all sections of hospital work. In the case the hon. Gentleman brought to my notice, temporary accommodation was found for eight weeks, and I hope that that will be continued.
Mental Hospital, West Riding
50.
asked the Minister of Health what developments have taken place in the provision of a new mental hospital in the West Riding in the region of the Leeds Regional Hospital Board.
The Board proposes a new hospital for mentally sub-normal patients in the Wakefield area and will be considering its priority in preparing its long-term programme.
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the location yet? Before the site is decided upon, will he have a geological report prepared?
Yes, Sir.