HC Deb 21 January 1954 vol 522 cc1169-71
1. Mrs. White

asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the report of Professor Sorsby on the causes of blindness, published by his Department; and what action he proposes to take.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Iain Macleod)

I have asked hospital authorities urgently to review and, where necessary, improve their arrangements for the treatment of patients suffering from eye diseases, in particular cataract and glaucoma. I have also asked medical officers of health to include in their annual reports for 1953 information as to the steps that are being taken to follow up cases shown on registration as requiring remedial treatment, and I am considering whether the examination at registration can be used to obtain better information as to possibilities of the blindness being relieved.

I am sending the hon. Member copies of the relevant circulars.

Mrs. White

While we are glad to hear of this action on the part of the Minister, may I ask whether he is satisfied that everything will be done by these methods to inform public opinion on the matter, which seems to be such an important factor? Does the right hon. Gentleman expect that we shall be able within reasonable time in this country to reach the position which I gather has been reached in Germany, where preventable blindness due to cataract has been virtually eliminated?

Mr. Macleod

I fully agree that the report was a disturbing one and that it is right that we should take such steps as we can to keep public opinion informed. I shall do that. I should not like to prophesy what will be the results of the urgent inquiry for which I have asked, but I shall certainly do everything I can to overcome the problem.

Mr. Hastings

Will the right hon. Gentleman give careful consideration to the desirability of sending out to all doctors employed as general practitioners by him a request that all cases of incipient blindness not due to errors of refraction may be sent at once to an eye specialist?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, I shall be glad to consider that.

23. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Health what response he has received from hospital boards throughout England and Wales to his circular asking them to review as a matter of urgency their arrangements for the treatment of ophthalmological patients.

Mr. Iain Macleod

There has not yet been time for boards to decide what action should be taken, and in any case I have not thought it necessary to require boards to submit formal proposals to me on this.

Mr. Janner

As the Minister himself has declared, in a circular, that there are a large number of cases in which blindness might have been avoided if proper care and treatment had been available to the persons concerned, does he not think it is important that he should follow up this matter and insist upon obtaining reports as speedily as possible, and do whatever he can to help when the reports are to hand?

Mr. Macleod

It is a question of the most efficient way of following up the action I have already taken. This is essentially a matter within the discretion of regional hospital boards and I should not normally wish to harry them by pursuing the arrangements they have made. I think that the most effective way of following this up is through the regular meetings of the senior administrative medical officers.

Mr. Janner

Will the Minister assure the House that he will follow these meetings closely, to see that something is done and the right amount of attention paid to this very important matter?