HC Deb 19 December 1955 vol 547 cc1649-50
42. Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewing

asked the Minister of Health whether he will appoint a committee to inquire into the well-being of old people in homes administered by the local and county authorities; and whether he will publish the results of such inquiry.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

No, Sir. Homes provided by local authorities under Part III of the National Assistance Act are inspected by my right hon. Friend's officers from time to time, and he is satisfied that the local authorities are alive to their responsibilities and that the residents in these homes receive a very high standard of care.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Does my hon. Friend not agree that the Curtis Committee does most valuable work for children in public care, and would she consult the Minister to see if a similar committee might be set up to look after the well-being of old people, because there are numbers who suffer from not very good feeding, and numbers of other elderly people who are subject to unnecessarily strict discipline in these homes?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

It is only fair to local authorities to say that during the past years they have increased very considerably indeed not only the number of beds but also the standard of Part III accommodation for old people. Recognising the difficulty that there is a large demand, which they are not always able to meet, they have also done an enormous amount of work in improving the old P.A.I.S. being used for this purpose. It is not possible to give them up because of the demand by the large number of patients. It would be a very great reflection on the fine work the local authorities have done in difficult circumstances if any suggestion went out from this House that they are not doing their job fairly.

Mr. Snow

Is the hon. Lady aware that the success of the work she is talking about is due to the very intimate knowledge of the local authorities which are responsible for doing it? If she wants a first-class example of a humane attitude towards old people, perhaps she will come to Staffordshire.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I can assure the hon. Member I have been to very many dozens of old people's homes and can join in his tribute to their work, not only in Staffordshire, but in other counties.