69 and 70. Miss Rathboneasked the Minister of Health (1)whether he will institute an inquiry into nursing homes all over the country, in view of the many 617 complaints as to the inadequate and insufficiently qualified nursing staffs and the insufficient precaution taken in regard to the prevention of infection;
(2) whether he has reason to believe that nursing homes are adequately inspected from the point of view of the sufficiency and qualifications of the nursing staff, and also that adequate care is given to the prevention of infection, particularly when maternity patients are taken in addition to general medical and surgical cases?
§ Mr. R. S. HudsonThe attention of local authorities has recently been called to the importance of the adequate supervision of nursing homes in a circular letter of 30th September last, of which I will send the hon. Member a copy. As at present advised my right hon. Friend sees no necessity for a special inquiry, but he will look into any case which the hon. Member may have in mind, if she will communicate the particulars to him.