HC Deb 15 March 1951 vol 485 cc1749-50
4. Mr. Storey

asked the Minister of Health if he will now make his promised statement upon the circumstances preceding the death of Charles Walter, who was found dying outside a lonely hut in Urmston Meadows, to which he had been returned after being refused admission to Park Hospital, Davyhulme, because he was not sufficiently ill, and to a welfare hostel at Ancoats, because he was too ill to be admitted there.

Mr. Marquand

Yes, Sir. I have sent the hon. Member a detailed reply; but I should like to say here that full inquiry has established that the failure in this case was due to an error of judgment in not admitting this man to hospital, and not to any lack of liaison between the health and welfare services. I am satisfied that the regional hospital board concerned has taken the steps necessary to prevent any repetition of the occurrence.

Mr. Storey

Is the Minister aware that diagnosis in this case was made in the open air and in the ambulance? Will he see that such a thing does not happen again?

Mr. Marquand

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say arrangements have been made to set aside special beds for this type of patient and that instructions have been given that when they are to be admitted to hospital, or sent to another hospital, accommodation must be certain to be there before the patient is sent away.

Mr. James Hudson

Were any disciplinary measures included in the steps which were necessary to be taken in this case?

Mr. Marquand

I believe that certain observations were made by the regional hospital board.

Mr. Ellis Smith

That is good as far as it goes, but have these instructions been issued to apply throughout the country?

Mr. Marquand

I should like notice of that question.

Mr. Assheton

Would the Minister tell us if it is the case that of no hospital in the country can it be said that there is no emergency bed available if necessary?

Mr. Marquand

I think that the real issue in this case was an error of judgment on the part of the two doctors concerned. It does not necessarily follow that similar errors are made in other parts of the country.

Mr. Storey

Although the Minister attributes what happened to a mistake in diagnosis does he not think that in every area there might be somebody who could say whether a man should go into a National Health Service hospital or should be treated in a Public Assistance hospital?