§ 15 and 16. Mr. ASTORasked (15) how many small-pox, fever, and other hospitals had been inspected by the Local Government Board with a view to providing accommodation for insured persons suffering from tuberculosis and recommended for institutional treatment before 15th July; and how many have been inspected since then; (16) how many beds in small-pox, fever, and other hospitals had been approved by the Local Government Board as being suitable for insured persons suffering from tuberculosis and recommended for institutional treatment before 15th July, and how many have been approved since then; and if he will further state how many of these beds were empty and available for insured persons on 15th July, and how many are now empty and available?
§ Mr. BURNSIf the hon. Member will allow me, I will reply to this and the following question together. As I informed the hon. Member on Thursday last, the Local Government Board, in their circular letter of the 6th instant, drew the attention of local authorities to the fact that their approval is required to any institution in which insured persons recommended for sanatorium benefit are treated, and stated what information they should receive in connection with applications for their approval. On the 19th instant I furnished the Insurance Commission with a list of forty-five isolation hospitals, which contain at least 838 beds, used for the treatment of tuberculosis, and which I am prepared to approve for a period of six months. I cannot say how many of those beds are at present available for the treatment of insured persons. Most of these hospitals have been provided by means of loans sanctioned by the Board, and generally speaking I have sufficient information in regard to isolation hospitals to render it unnecessary to direct any further inspection before giving approval for a limited period. At present, three hospitals containing seventy-seven beds for the treatment of tuberculosis have been approved for a period of six months.
§ Mr. ASTORBefore giving approval to an institution, does the Local Government Board take into consideration the fact whether the doctor in charge of it has a special knowledge of the particular treatment which is necessary?
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSIs it quite clear that the isolation hospital will not be used for both the treatment of tuberculosis and fever at the same time?
§ Mr. BURNSI am glad to say that the diminution of infectious disease all over the country has placed at the disposal of nearly all the sanitary authorities a very large number of beds that can be properly used for this particular purpose.
§ Mr. HUME-WILLIAMSNot at the same time and in the same hospital?
§ Mr. BURNSNo; not at the same time, but the circumstances are such they can be used for both purposes.
Mr. WORTHINGTON-EVANSHas there been an inspection or report of the qualifications of the medical officers in each of these institutions to which the right hon. Gentleman has referred?
§ Mr. BURNSWe are satisfied that all the medical officers who are now in charge of infectious hospitals or of hospitals for tuberculosis are thorougly qualified to undertake the duties imposed upon them.