HC Deb 23 October 1952 vol 505 cc1249-51
16. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Health how many, and what are the names of the hospitals in the county of Durham which perform operations for tonsils and adenoids; how many children under school age and of school age are waiting for operations; what is the longest and the shortest period of waiting; and what schemes he has in mind to overcome this waiting period.

Mr. Iain Macleod

As the reply includes a tabular statement I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Murray

Could not the right hon. Gentleman have been more explicit in this matter, because in industrial areas such as South Wales and Durham, children are having to wait over two years for an operation? Would he not try to do something about this?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, but the hon. Member has asked for details of every hospital in Durham. I would be reading them until the end of Question time if I were to give them now instead of in the tabular statement.

Following is the statement:

more accommodation for the purpose as soon as resources permit.

17. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Health how many children under school age and how many attending school are on the waiting list for tonsils and adenoids operations at Dryburn Hospital and the County Hospital, County Durham; and what is the longest period of time any child has had to wait for such operation.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am informed that operations for tonsils and adenoids are not done at Dryburn Hospital. For Durham County Hospital the answer to the first part of the Question is 33 and 210 and to the second 15 months.

18. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Mr. J. G. Brown, 44 Red Courts, Brandon Colliery, County Durham, is being asked to pay £16 7s. for an operation to his child who was suffering from infection of the tonsils and adenoids, was losing weight and unable to attend regularly at school; that the school clinic doctor and the local family doctor agreed that an operation had to be performed; and why no date could be given to the father for the operation to take place under the provisions of the National Health Service, although it was done at once by private means.

Mr. Iain Macleod

I am making inquiries and will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Murray

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this case the child had to wait for years, was losing weight and losing attendance at school, apart from all the discomfort that the child was undergoing? This is a very troublesome question in Durham, and for a parent who has to work for his living this was a most unusual sum to pay. Will the Minister try to stop this racket, because this is just a method of jumping the queue?

Mr. Macleod

I will look into all the matters which the hon. Member has raised, and will write to him.