HC Deb 15 February 1949 vol 461 cc934-5
29. Mr. Carmichael

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that under the Scottish Poor Law Acts local authorities were obliged to provide hospital care for aged people but since the repeal of these Acts this service is being neglected and in consequence great suffering is caused to old people living alone and in need of attention, particularly where there are no relatives; and if he will give this matter his attention and issue the necessary instructions to those possessing this authority to exercise it in the interest of the aged infirm.

Mr. Woodburn

The facilities available for the hospital care of aged people have not decreased, but an increasing demand has caused some delay in the admission of old people not in urgent need of active medical treatment. The Regional Hospital Boards are reviewing the situation to see what additional facilities can be made available.

Mr. Carmichael

When my right hon. Friend indicates that the facilities are still there, may I ask him what body is responsible for doing this job, because we have been trying to find out in Glasgow and cannot do so? Is he aware that there are hundreds of aged people in Glasgow with nobody to care for them at all, and that this is a shocking state of affairs under a National Health Service?

Mr. Woodburn

I think that my hon. Friend is making a wrong reflection on the National Health Service. The facilities are no less now than before the Service came into operation, but the Regional Boards are doing their best to increase them. I understand that the trouble has arisen because a large number of old people, to whom my hon. Friend refers and who were very much in need, would not seek this refuge be cause of the stigma which attached to the Poor Law, but that they are now willing to take advantage of it because of the dignity attaching to the National Health Service.

Mr. Carmichael

May I ask my right hon. Friend where does he get the idea that there has been a change in the attitude of mind? Is he not aware that, for a good number of years, these aged people were cared for in hospitals, not workhouses, and that now there is evidence abroad that many of our voluntary hospitals are deliberately avoiding taking these people, who are being neglected by the community as a whole?

Colonel Stoddart-Scott

Is not the Minister aware that there are fewer hospital beds for these people available now than on 5th July?

Mr. Woodburn

I am not aware of that. I do not think anybody has destroyed hospital beds.

Forward to