HC Deb 05 September 1893 vol 17 cc94-5
MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is in possession of any further information respecting the case of Samuel Ely Hobbs, a dock labourer, lately residing at Love Lane, Ratcliff, who died at the Bromley and Stepney Sick Asylum; and whether an additional doctor to the Union, comprising the parishes of Limehouse, Stepney, and Ratcliff, is to be appointed?

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

The Local Government Board have received the depositions taken by the Coroner at the inquest in the case of Samuel Hobbs, and have been furnished with a reply of the Guardians. Dr. Downes, one of the Board's Inspectors, has also made inquiries as to the case. He has seen the relieving officer and Mr. Godding, who was acting as the substitute of the medical officer, and the dispenser. He finds that the application for the attendance of the medical officer in the case was made on Thursday, 17th August, at 10 o'clock in the morning, and that the acting medical officer, although there was nothing to show that the case was an urgent one, visited the patient about I on the same day. Mrs. Hobbs, who has also been seen by Dr. Downes, admits that this was the case. She further states that she went to the dispensary in the afternoon for the medicine prescribed and obtained it. A reference to the dispenser's book shows that the medicine was made up on that afternoon. Mrs. Hobbs accounts for the discrepancies between her present statement and her statement before the Coroner by saying that she was very much confused when giving her evidence. The district medical officer of the Stepney Union is required to devote his whole time to the duties of his office. He receives a salary of £350 per annum. Dr. Downes ascertained from the acting medical officer that the number of cases which he has to attend at their own homes has averaged about 15 a day. I cannot say upon the facts at present before the Local Government Board that the duties of the medical officer are more than can be efficiently performed by one person who devotes his whole time to the attendance on the sick poor.