HC Deb 31 July 1951 vol 491 cc1161-2
10. Mr. Malcolm MacPherson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress is being made in the adaptation of wards in general and infectious diseases hospitals for tuberculosis patients.

Mr. McNeil

Quarterly progress returns are made by regional hospital boards. The March return showed real progress in the infectious diseases hospitals. The problem is more difficult in the general hospitals, and I would prefer to await the June figures before making any statement. I shall, however, be glad to write to my hon. Friend when the figures become available.

Mr. MacPherson

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that the authorities, medical and lay, of the general hospitals are fully aware of the vital importance of making the adaptation referred to in the Question, even at the cost of some disturbance of their ordinary hospital work?

Mr. McNeil

I must admit that if the authorities are aware of the importance of this modification in the general hospitals, at any rate they have not responded with any marked number of beds so far. I am very glad of my hon. Friend's support, and I shall continue to press for action on this subject, since I agree with him that its importance is very great.

Lieut.-Colonel Elliot

Will the right hon. Gentleman not unduly press the local authorities to disturb the ordinary care of the sick, the need for which is in many cases very urgent indeed and is causing great hardship to people who cannot get admission to ordinary wards?

Mr. McNeil

Of course, I should not be rash enough to make such an interference, but we have already had some success, for example in Edinburgh, where nurses have been made available. My recollection is that it is at the Edinburgh Royal. I am quite sure we can extend that kind of example without causing any inconvenience to the general hospitals and that it will be of benefit to our tubercular cases.