§ 43. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREasked the Minister of Health how many persons are now receiving treatment for tuberculosis under the National Health Insurance Act; and what was the number for each of the last five years?
§ Dr. ADDISONI will circulate the figures asked for in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following are the figures promised:
§ The number of persons in England and Wales who were receiving residential treatment for tuberculosis under the National Health Insurance Acts on the first of this month was approximately 8,350. I have no precise information as to the numbers who were in receipt of domiciliary or dispensary treatment on that date.
§ The numbers of persons who have received sanatorium benefit in England and Wales during the past five years are as follows:
| 1914 | 31,793 |
| 1915 | 29,741 |
| 1916 | 29,850 |
| 1917 | 31,566 |
| 1938 | 35,430 |
§ 44. Sir S. HOAREasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the results obtained in combating tuberculosis under the National Health Insurance Act; and, if he is not satisfied, whether he proposes to make any changes either in the systm or the administration?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo Sir, I am not satisfied with the results obtained.
Circumstances connected with the War are largely the cause of the incomplete success attending the measures inaugurated under the National Health Insurance Acts for combating tuberculosis. These circumstances are explained in the Report of the Inter-departmental Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for South Salford (Sir Montagu Barlow), and steps have been, and are being, taken to carry out the recommendations of that Committee.
The Government has under immediate consideration the question of the desirability of change in the system of administration.
§ Lord R. CECILIs that Report available to Members of the House? Will it be laid?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes.
§ Major MOLSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many patients suffering from tuberculosis were untreated long before the War?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes; and I am also aware that it will take a generation to catch up.
§ Sir S. HOAREHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the desirability of forming a special Department at the Ministry of Health to deal with tuberculosis?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo; it would be most undesirable.
§ 57. Major HILLSasked the Minister of Health the present cost of tuberculosis treatment?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe amount expended by public authorities in England and Wales on the treatment of tuberculosis during the financial year 1917–18 was approximately £1,550,000. This is the latest period for which complete figures are available. It is estimated that the expenditure during the present financial year will exceed £2,000,000. Expenditure defrayed by loans is in both cases excluded.
§ Major HILLSIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the expenditure is sufficient?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have already said, in answer to a previous question, that I think the facilities for treatment are insufficient.
§ 58. Major HILLSasked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that all persons entitled to receive treatment for tuberculosis are receiving that treatment, and are receiving it at a sufficiently early stage of the illness?
§ Dr. ADDISONAll persons recommended for sanatorium benefit under the National Health Insurance Acts are receiving treatment in one form or another, but uninsured persons are in several areas not so fully provided for. The accommodation at present available for residential treatment is inadequate to meet the needs of the country as a whole. Steps have already been taken to expedite as far as possible the provision of additional residential accommodation. The question of securing proper treatment for each case at a sufficiently early stage is dependent to a large extent upon a correct diagnosis being made, and upon the willingness of patients to accept the appropriate form of treatment in the early stages of the disease.
§ Captain ORMSBY-GORECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether tuberculous children of insured persons are now given treatment under the Insurance Act?
§ Dr. ADDISONNo, not as it stands at present.
§ Mr. GWYNNECan the right hon. Gentleman say what extra accommodation is provided in sanatoria for ex-Service men?
§ Dr. ADDISONI must ask for notice of that.