HC Deb 15 November 1951 vol 493 cc1143-4
7. Mr. Steward

asked the Minister of Health if he will consult with the British Transport Commission on the possibility of authorising cheap fares to relatives visiting immediate relations in hospital in cases where the patient is transferred on medical instructions some distance away from the patients home or residence.

Mr. Crookshank

Arrangements have already been made for cheap fares for visits to most hospitals where patients are expected to remain for a long time: I am not prepared at this stage to ask the Commission to extend the scope of the arrangements.

16. Brigadier O. L. Prior-Palmer

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that in certain hospitals visiting hours for parents to the children's ward is restricted to once a week whereas in others visiting is permitted once a day; and if he will examine the evidence regarding the effect on the children of the daily visit with a view to standardising the practice throughout the country.

Mr. Crookshank

The attention of hospital authorities has been drawn to this question in a circular of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy; but I doubt whether any standardisation of practice is desirable or possible.

Brigadier Prior-Palmer

While not wishing to imply for one moment that the Minister should give directions in this matter, I feel very strongly, and would he not agree, that the available evidence from those hospitals which have experimented with this over a period of 18 months proves that it is not only not detrimental but beneficial, and should it not be made available to those hospitals that have not yet tried it?

Mr. Crookshank

That may be so, but I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the circular that I am sending him.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that many hospital authorities, sisters and doctors, deprecate the visiting of young children on the grounds that it has a very disturbing effect upon them?

Mr. George Thomas

Would the Minister put that circular in the Library so that we may all see what has been sent out?

Mr. Crookshank

Certainly, there is no objection, provided that that is the normal course.