§ 55. Mr. W. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that regulations provide that, in cases of ophthalmia neonatorum, notification of this disease has to be made to the district council as the local sanitary authority, whereas the county council, where it is a child-welfare and maternity authority, is responsible for treatment; and, in view of the fact that delay in treatment may cause blindness for life, whether he will revise the regulations so as to provide that notification should be made in such cases by telegram or telephone direct to the county medical officer of health, concurrently with notice to the district council?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)Under the regulations in force a medical practitioner in attendance upon a child suffering from this disease is required to notify the case forthwith to the medical officer of health of the local sanitary authority, and that officer is required to forward a copy of such notification to the county medical officer of health within 24 hours of its receipt. A system of dual notification appears to me to present certain disadvantages, and as at present advised I see no sufficient reason for amending the regulations in the manner suggested. The 1715 importance of making definite arrangements for securing the prompt treatment of this disease has been emphasised in circular letters issued to local authorities by my Department, and I will send copies to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. ROBERTSDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that, in country districts, to have the local sanitary authority forwarding the notification may delay investigation very seriously?
§ Sir K. WOODI shall look into that point. I regard this matter as important, and if the hon. Gentleman has any information to give me upon it, I shall be glad to examine it.