§ 26. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Health whether hospital probationers are entitled to administer powerful drugs, such as digitalin and morphia, in the absence of a qualified medical practitioner; and who is held responsible in the event of the death of a patient as a result of a mistake on the part of a probationer?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)The answer to the first part of the question is that while the administration of drugs within the scope of the Dangerous Drugs Acts is subject to special restrictions, the responsibility for 1727 administration rests with the medical practitioner in charge of the case. I cannot undertake to pronounce the general terms upon the issue raised by the second part of the question, which must turn upon the view taken of particular facts.