HC Deb 05 November 1918 vol 110 cc1908-9
8. Captain CARR-GOMM

asked he Under-Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that dissatisfaction still exists with regard to the treatment of officer patients at the Prince of Wales' Hospital, Great Central Hotel, Marylebone; whether he will state how many patients there are at present in the hospital; what is the size of the staff of Army sisters and orderlies; how often an official inspection is made; whether any inspections are made without previous notice being given; whether the meals of the patients are inspected; whether electric bells have been installed in all the patients' rooms; and, if not, what is the reason for this delay?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I am not aware that any dissatisfaction exists, and from a report which I have obtained it is clear that the officers are very well looked after. The number of patients is 780, and the number of nurses is forty-three, nursing orderlies thirty, and in addition there are twenty Voluntary Aid Detachment orderlies. The officer in charge makes frequent inspections without notice, and official inspections are made from time to time by the Deputy-Director of Medical Services and other officers of the London district. The meals are regularly inspected by the officer in charge and the matron. The electric bells, which were installed in April last, have recently got out of order but are now being put right.

Captain CARR-GOMM

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that for all that number of 780 patients the staff he has just mentioned is adequate? Is he aware that complaints were brought to his notice early in the year—in the spring—and that complaints have been brought by other persons connected with the place?

Mr. MACPHERSON

I have had no complaints since the spring, and I have just informed my hon. and gallant Friend that my report is a very recent report.

Captain CARR-GOMM

Will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries into a case where an officer, whose heart had been recently very seriously injured owing to his wounds having been allowed to remain in a small room with another officer patient suffering from influenza, and no attempt made to remove the officer—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice.