HC Deb 22 July 1954 vol 530 cc1541-3
26. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are being made to improve hospital facilities for the treatment of out-patients suffering from psoriasis.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Facilities for the treatment of skin diseases, including psoriasis, have shared in the general improvement in out-patient services. Such treatment by baths, light, or other applications as is considered necessary by the dermatologist concerned is generally available in the larger hospital clinics for skin diseases.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that very good work has been done in this field for some years at Leeds, and will he do what he can to extend that work to other regions?

Mr. Macleod

I am aware of the work to which the hon. and gallant Member refers and such treatment can be obtained at any large skin centre if the dermatologists think it appropriate to give it. I would not think it right for me to recommend a particular form of treatment because that would be interfering in medical matters, which should be no concern of the Minister.

31. Dr. Stross

asked the Minister of Health what information he has as to the number of people in England and Wales who suffer from psoriasis; and what specific research is being conducted on this skin disease.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Statistics of the incidence of psoriasis in England and Wales are not available. Research on skin diseases forms part of the programme of the Medical Research Council.

Dr. Stross

Is the Minister aware that probably about half a million people are suffering from this condition and that whereas the right hon. Gentleman gives the impression that everything can be available at the out-patient departments, the facts are that more money is needed for the provision of special baths and the special kind of treatment that is needed? Will the Minister, if asked, see that the regional hospital boards get this extra money when they ask for it?

Mr. Macleod

I do not think it is a good system of allocating moneys that it should be done on regional board requests for a particular service. I should have thought that the best system was to give what can be allocated to the regional boards and to leave it to them to decide what should be given to this or to any other purpose. I do not want to claim that facilities for this treatment are available in all out-patient departments, but what I said to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton) was that in all large centres such skin treatment was available.