§ 22. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health how many beds in sanatoria and general hospitals, which were occupied and used for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1952 are now unoccupied; and whether he will use these unoccupied beds for the treatment of other forms of chronic respiratory disease.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. R. H. Turton)No precise answer to the first part of the Question can be given without much research; but the number of occupied beds for respiratory tuberculosis was 27,156 at the end of 1952 and an average of 28,227 during 1954, the latest period for which figures are available. Where beds cease to be required for tuberculosis, they do not necessarily remain unoccupied but are often diverted to other purposes. My Standing Medical Advisory Committee is at present studying the suggestion made in the second part of the Question.
§ Dr. StrossMay I thank the Minister for his reply, particularly the last part of it, which is very encouraging? Will he bear in mind that action ought to be expeditious because there is a chance, otherwise, that we might lose staffs, and beds without staffs being available would not be very helpful?
§ Dr. SummerskillWill the Minister recall that when, last week, I asked him whether he would be prepared to use empty beds in tuberculosis sanatoria for other purposes he did not appear very receptive to the idea? Now he has told the House that that is precisely what is being done. Will he say, in answer to the next Question, whether these empty beds are being used for cases of these other respiratory conditions?
§ Mr. TurtonThat shows the value of the question which was asked by the right hon. Lady. This matter is going to be referred to the Standing Medical Advisory Committee. Full credit will be given both to the right hon. Lady and to her hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross).