§ 25. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that, owing to overcrowding at the Birmingham accident 15 hospital, a patient recently had to wait seventeen days in the casualty ward, and developed a condition which accelerated her death; and what steps he intends to take to relieve the present congestion and avoid a recurrence of such cases.
§ Mr. VosperI have asked for a full report from the regional hospital board and will write to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. YatesWhile appreciating that Answer, I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider carefully the evidence submitted by a surgeon at the hospital in which he said that things like this happen more often than is brought to the notice of the public. Whilst I admire the work done by this wonderful accident hospital, it would be a pity for its reputation to be blotted by accidents of this kind.
§ Mr. VosperI have read that report, but I have had medical reports which say the opposite. That is why I thought it more important to call for a full report on this case.