§ 33. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health on what dates Mrs. Harriet Thornton was given an independent medical examination; who is responsible for the expense involved; on what date the doctor's report was received by the Board of Control; and what decision has been reached as to whether Mrs. Thornton is to be discharged or to remain in a mental home.
§ Mr. TurtonI am not aware, neither is the Board of Control, on what dates Mrs. Harriet Thornton was given an independent medical examination. The responsibility for the expense involved rests with the applicant for the independent medical examination. No certificates or reports from the two doctors authorised to examine Mrs. Thornton have yet been received by the Board of Control, and no decision has, therefore, been reached as to her discharge.
§ Mr. DoddsWill the right hon. Gentleman state that if my client pays for the independent medical examination that same person gets either the medical report or a copy of it? Is he not aware that the doctors made their final examination ten days ago, and does he not think it is time that something was done, or is it felt that this woman should stay longer?
§ Mr. TurtonI do not know when the examination took place, but I take it that the hon. Gentleman is correct in his facts. If the reports do not come in, the question will then arise as to what is to happen to this lady. At the present moment she is absent from the Cane Hill Mental Hospital on a three months' trial period. If the hospital management committee or the Board do not exercise their statutory power to direct the patient's discharge, the question of her future care will be a matter for consideration by the hospital authorities in the light of reports received upon her progress while on trial.