HC Deb 14 July 1958 vol 591 cc800-2
15. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Health what was the total number of tonsillectomy cases outstanding for operation, at the last convenient date, at Tamworth Hospital; and whether, in view of the distress of patients and relatives, he will discourage any tendency to refer such cases to Birmingham, because of the shortage of consultant status surgeons available at the hospital in question.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Three hundred and six on 30th June, 1958; the planning of consultant services in the area is a matter for the Birmingham Regional Hospital Board and I should not think it right to interfere with the exercise of their discretion.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that much trouble was taken by his predecessors in office to build up a consultant service in this district, which is separated rather inconveniently from Birmingham from the point of view of transport and cost to relatives getting to Birmingham and back? Could he not ask the regional board to see that the good work done in the past is not cancelled for other reasons?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I understand the practice to be that normally difficult cases and adult cases are referred to the Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital at Birmingham. What is now proposed is that that practice should be extended to certain other cases over an experimental period of three months. On the face of it, that does not seem an unreasonable way of trying to shorten this waiting list.

Dr. Summerskill

In view of the fact that every time the Minister is asked about the position of waiting lists he has to admit a disproportionate number of E.N.T. cases—this is another case—could he say whether he has any policy for trying to tackle this problem, which is common to most hospitals throughout the country?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I have policies and ideas in regard to all these problems. I also have a very open and receptive mind in regard to them, and if the right hon. Lady would like to specify any particular thoughts she has in mind, I should be happy to consider them.

Dr. Summerskill

The Minister is very fond of evading questions and replying by asking me how he should solve his problems. If he would like to sit here I could sit on the bench opposite and solve them. Surely it must be clear to him that there is only one way of reducing the number ear, nose and throat cases—in this case, it means a large number of small children with big tonsils waiting for months, sometimes years, to be attended to—and that is to introduce more people who can solve the problem—[Laughter.]—in other words, E.N.T. surgeons. I do not know why there should be laughter about this.

Mr. Walker-Smith

I have waited a long time for the right hon. Lady to respond to one of my invitations. If that is the extent of the contribution she has to make, I should reply that those broad general approaches are already in my mind and it is the way of doing these things which is really troublesome.

Mr. Snow

In view of the Minister's reply and of the anxiety of my constituents in this matter, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.