HC Deb 19 November 1956 vol 560 cc1364-5
23. Miss Bacon

asked the Minister of Health what steps were taken to trace the brother and other relatives living in Leeds, of Mr. E. Murtagh, who died in St. Luke's Hospital, Bradford, on 10th October; and if the Bradford police were informed, or inquiries made at 23, North Street, Bradford, from where the deceased was taken by ambulance, or his last place of work and through that his trade union.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

According to my right hon. Friend's information, this patient had more than once clearly stated that he had no relatives, and none of the steps mentioned was therefore taken

Miss Bacon

Does the hon. Lady realise that it is very serious indeed if, when a person goes into hospital, dies in hospital and is buried by the authorities, no steps whatever are taken to trace relatives? Is she further aware that this matter was brought to my notice by the man's trade union secretary, who is very concerned lest his many members doing casual work in different parts of the county have this kind of thing happen?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

In fairness to the hospital authorities, the hon. Lady should know that not only on this but on previous occasions when the same patient went into hospital he emphatically stated that he had no relatives. There was the same record at the lodging house where he had stayed. During the time he was ill he was visited by a Catholic priest, and a doctor asked him about relatives. He emphatically proclaimed that he had no relatives and, in those circumstances, the hospital cannot be blamed.

24. Miss Bacon

asked the Minister of Health what administrative arrangements exist for informing relatives of the death of a person in hospital; and if he will give an assurance that these arrangements are put into operation, even if the deceased, through illness or stress of entering hospital, does not give the name and address of next of kin.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

It is the normal practice of hospitals to ascertain the next of kin of patients where possible and to inform them of deaths. I have no reason to suspect any inadequacy in the arrangements for getting the information when the patient is unable to answer questions.

Miss Bacon

Is the hon. Lady aware that the Answers to this and the previous Question have been entirely contradictory? In the case I mentioned in Question No. 23 no steps whatever were taken to trace the man's relatives who lived only eight miles away. If these administrative arrangements are put into operation, why was that not done in the case of Mr. Murtagh?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

When the hon. Lady reads the Answers tomorrow, she will see that they are not contradictory. My last phrase was, "when the patient is unable to answer questions." In this case the patient was repeatedly asked and repeatedly affirmed that he had no living relatives. Where patients are not in a condition to give information about themselves, the hospital authorities endeavour to ascertain the next of kin and use the services of the police for so doing.

Miss Bacon

Is the hon. Lady not aware that when a man goes into hospital and is likely to die within a few days—as happened in this case—because of going into hospital, or illness, or something of that kind, he may give wrong information? Will she alter the regulations to see that some action is taken to find relatives?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

In this case the patient walked out of the ambulance unattended into the hospital and was perfectly capable of giving information about himself. The hon. Lady must appreciate that it is very difficult to trace people when one has no sources from which to work and when a patient insists that he has no living relatives.