11. Mr. McKieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, in view of what happened in the recent smallpox outbreak in Glasgow, he will take steps to ensure that in future no medical student is exposed to unnecessary risk in fever cases.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Miss Herbison)Medical authorities are fully conscious of the need to control and prevent the spread of infection, and I am assured that all practicable measures are taken to reduce to a minimum the inevitable risks which medical students, like doctors and nurses, must take in their contacts with patients.
Mr. McKieIs the hon. Lady aware that Dr. Janet Fleming, the first victim of the recent smallpox outbreak, and other medical students were admitted to observe the Lascar case as one of unusual chicken-pox, and that there is no doubt that faulty diagnosis played a large part?
§ Sir W. DarlingCan the hon. Lady say what steps are taken to see that medical students are vaccinated and take proper precautions when they attend such investigations as the one referred to?
§ Miss HerbisonIn the hospitals, the medical superintendent makes it clear that vaccination is there for any medical student or nurse who wishes to take it. Reasons were given last week at Question time why it is not considered at this time that compulsory vaccination for this section of the public should be carried out when compulsory vaccination is not required for the rest of the public?