§ 7. Dr. Doddsasked the Minister of Health when action is to be taken to improve the scales of payment to patients in mental hospitals for work of a reasonably high standard, substituting, wherever suitable, payment by cash in place of tobacco allowances.
§ Mr. R. ThompsonWork undertaken by patients in mental and mental deficiency hospitals is essentially a part of treatment. Remuneration as such is therefore not payable, but incentives in cash or kind are normally provided. Their nature and amount is, however, a matter for decision in the light of the medical needs of individual patients.
§ Mr. DoddsIs the Parliamentary Secretary saying that it would retard the progress of a patient to pay a few shillings into an account each week to be used for him when he comes out of the mental hospital? Does not he think it regrettable that, when his Ministry is warning the public against smoking, patients who are deprived of liberty because they cannot look after themselves outside are paid with tobacco? Is it not disgraceful, especially since they are paid two ounces of tobacco weekly for thirty-eight hours of work of a reasonably high standard?
§ Mr. ThompsonWe must allow hospital authorities some discretion in running these schemes. As he will know, some hospitals already run small industrial units, on broadly commercial lines, and here the incentives are often much greater than the hon. Member has suggested. Those patients who go out to work will receive normal wages from their 13 employers and make maintenance payments to the hospital.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonIs the Minister aware that there is an increasing tendency to make incentive payments in cash, but that some hospital management committees are reluctant to make this change? Will he and his right hon. Friend do all they can to induce management committees to make cash payments wherever possible?
§ Mr. ThompsonI will consider that, and no doubt the publicity resulting from these questions and answers will draw attention to this matter.
§ Dr. SummerskillCan the Minister tell the House in what proportion of hospitals there is this graduated payment?
§ Mr. ThompsonNot without notice.
§ Mr. DoddsOwing to the very unsatisfactory answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.