HC Deb 31 October 1955 vol 545 c642
3. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet advised hospital authorities to substitute earphones for wireless loudspeakers in public wards.

Mr. Iain Macleod

This was recommended by the Central Health Services Council, and I commended it to hospital authorities in January, 1953. My information is that it has been acted on quite extensively.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Might I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply and express the hope that he will continue to do all he can to ensure that patients who are sent to hospital to get better are not made worse by avoidable noise?

Mr. Macleod

Yes, I think most hospitals are conscious of this, and my impression is that the majority of hospital wards, certainly the acute wards, have already acted on it.