HC Deb 13 March 1939 vol 345 cc35-8
58. Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Health whether, and by whom, any investigation has now been carried out with reference to the complaints made concerning the Nottingham City Isolation Hospital and the Nottingham Institution, respectively; whether his representative has examined the allegations made in Nottingham; and whether he is now able to say what steps he proposes to take to allay public misgivings in this matter?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)

An investigation into the conditions at the Nottingham Isolation Hospital and the Nottingham Institution has been carried out by a general inspector of my Department with the assistance of a nurse inspector. My right hon. Friend has considered the inspector' s report most carefully and is writing fully to my hon. and learned Friend. I am glad to say that no evidence of any kind of infestation of beds, etc., was discovered though it seems accurate that cockroaches are to be found in the City Institution, and, to a certain extent, in the Isolation Hospital. I understand that the Nottingham Corporation take steps to deal with these pests, and the officers of my Department will continue to keep a watch on conditions in the institutions.

Mr. Lyons

Was it an officer of the Department in London who conducted the investigations, or an officer who is ordinarily stationed in Nottingham? If the latter be the case, is that officer not responsible for the conditions of which complaint was made, and, if that is so, will my hon. Friend have an inspection of the dates that are material by somebody who is in no way interested or charged with responsibility?

Mr. Bernays

The inspector who carried out the investigation was the general inspector of the district, but I do not think that he can be held responsible for the cockroaches in Nottingham.

Mr. Lyons

Is not the general inspector of the district, in fact, located in Nottingham, and is it not his responsibility to have co-ordination at all times?

Mr. Bernays

It is true that the inspector is stationed in Nottingham, but he has a very wide district to look after.

59. Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Health what liaison exists in general between each general inspector for the region and the institutions and hospitals of local authorities situate within that region; and, in particular, what regular supervision has been exercised by the regional general inspector of his Department over the Nottingham Isolation Hospital and the City Institution, respectively, during the last six months?

Mr. Bernays

The general inspectors of my Department have power to visit and inspect any public assistance institution at any time, but this power does not extend to hospitals and other institutions provided by local authorities under the Public Health Acts. It is the duty of the general inspector to keep himself acquainted with conditions in the public assistance institutions in his district, and for this purpose visits of inspection are paid from time to time. I understand that the general inspector stationed at Nottingham has not visited the Nottingham Institution during the last six months, during which time, as my hon. and learned Friend is aware, there has been heavy pressure on the officers of my Department in connection with Civil Defence emergency schemes. Several visits have been paid during the last two or three years.

Mr. Lyons

In view of the fact that it was during this officer's failure to visit the institution that the institution became infested, would it not be better for the investigation to be carried out by a gentleman from the hon. Gentleman's Department who never had charge or responsibility in this matter; and is it not essential that an independent inspector should deal with the matter and not one permanently located in Nottingham?

Mr. Bernays

I do not agree with my hon. and learned Friend. One has to consider the tremendously increased responsibility that has been placed upon this gentleman by the needs of Civil Defence. I think that he has carried out his duty satisfactorily.

60. Mr. Lyons

asked the Minister of Health how many patients have been received in the Nottingham Isolation Hospital suffering, or thought to be suffering, from some form of enteric fever during the present outbreak there; whether, in view of recent complaints being investigated by his Department, such parts of the building used, or to be used in this connection, are free from any of the matters the subject of the allegations which have been brought to his notice; and, if not, what other steps are to be taken for the care of such patients?

Mr. Bernays

I am informed by the local authority that, up to the present, 31 such patients have been admitted to the isolation hospital. With regard to the rest of the question, I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my previous answer.

Mr. Lyons

Arising out of the answers given, and owing to the unsatisfactory position therein disclosed, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.