HC Deb 01 December 1958 vol 596 cc819-20
15. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to provide adequate hospital facilities, having regard to the large list of schoolchildren in the borough of Oldbury awaiting hospital treatment for tonsils and adenoids; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Richard Thompson)

I am informed that the regional hospital board is considering the need for additional medical staff, but that even in present circumstances urgent cases are admitted within two weeks, and no case has been waiting more than six months.

Mr. Moyle

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the average treatment at the hospitals in the past year has been limited to 100 a year and that this year we are in the extraordinary position of having only 19 receiving hospital treatment during the course of a year? Will he go into the matter and treat it as one of exceeding urgency?

Mr. Thompson

I think the measures being taken will probably have a beneficial effect there. The consultant surgeon in this case provides two sessions, one of which is an operation session every week. The regional board is considering a recommendation to appoint a consultant anaesthetist to serve Hallam Hospital and West Bromwich Hospital, and a registrar to assist with the surgery at Hallam.