HC Deb 30 June 1953 vol 517 cc174-5
3. Mr. Pryde

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provision exists to enable patients to obtain physiotherapy treatment in the counties of Midlothian and Peebles.

Mr. J. Stuart

Physiotherapy treatment needed as part of hospital care is normally provided for patients from Midlothian and Peebles at Edinburgh hospitals and associated clinics, at the hospital clinic in Peebles, or at Peel Hospital, Galashiels.

Mr. Pryde

Is the Minister aware of the great hardship which is occasioned to many people with small incomes when they have to be transported into Edinburgh or to Peel Hospital, which sometimes entails a journey of 50 miles, when they can ill afford such an expenditure? Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that for this reason people sometimes stop visiting these hospitals and thereby occasion great delay in their recovery?

Mr. Stuart

I sympathise with the hon. Member's feeling, but this treatment for other than hospital patients is not the responsibility of hospital authorities under the National Health Service (Scotland) Act. The hospital authorities do, however, occasionally provide such treatment for a patient who is unable to travel to hospital.

Mr. Pryde

Would it not be better to build a hospital in the centre of the county of Midlothian, at, say, Dalkeith, as has already been suggested?

Mr. Stuart

That is another question, but I will consider it.