HC Deb 04 September 1893 vol 16 cc1872-3
MR. BRODIE HOARE (Hampstead)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what is the average number per week of applications for admission to the hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board; what is the average number of admissions per week; and how long does it take for a suitable case to obtain admission?

MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he will state the number of certified requisitions received by the Metropolitan Asylums Board for admission of infectious cases to the Asylum Board's Hospitals during the months of Juno, July, and August, the number of cases received, and the average interval between the date of requisition and the reception of the patients; and whether it is the fact that the Metropolitan Asylums Board are unable for want of space to accommodate a large number of cases seeking admission?

THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Sir W. FOSTER,) Derby, Ilkeston

I am informed that it has been impossible to establish any such system of registration of applications for admission to the hospitals of the Managers of the Metropolitan Asylums District as would enable the Managers to make any accurate statement with reference to the number of such applications. The average number of actual admissions per week during the last 14 weeks has been 390. The actual admissions during the mouths of June, July, and August were 1,633, 1,736, and 1,803 respectively. The number of admissions possible each day is determined by the number of vacancies created by discharges and deaths. A selection is made each day from amongst all the applications received on that day of those cases which appear from the statements made as to their circumstances and surroundings to be the most necessitous and urgent. Unsuccessful applicants are instructed to renew their applications. I am informed that it is impossible to give the average interval between the actual requisition for removal and the admission of patients; but that, looking to the system adopted of admitting those which appear to be the most urgent, it is clear that with regard to the majority of cases which are received the interval is brief. It is the case that the Managers for the last three months have been unable for want of space to accommodate the whole of the large number of cases seeking admission.