HC Deb 04 July 1960 vol 626 cc29-30
41. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Health how many mothers in the North Middlesex area, living in bad housing conditions, have recently been refused admission to hospital for their confinements; and whether he will make a statement.

Miss Pitt

I regret that figures are not available. Steps are, however, being taken by the North East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board to improve the quality and increase the quantity of hospital maternity accommodation available locally for this area.

Mrs. Butler

Is it not important, when the Central Health Services Council Committee is asking for a drive to re-duo; the number of deaths of very small babies, that bad housing conditions should be regarded as qualifying for hospital confinement? Is it not disgraceful, whatever the reasons, that mothers living with their husbands and one or more children in one room, as they are doing in Tottenham and adjoining boroughs, are refused admission to hospital for their confinements?

Miss Pitt

Mothers in the area in question could have had their babies in hospital had they been prepared to go a little further afield. The accommodation was available. I agree, however, that it needs improvement. It is hoped both to do that and to extend the number of beds.

Dr. Summerskill

I have never asked the Minister or his Parliamentary Secretary to visit an institution before, but I ask one of them to visit the maternity department of the North Middlesex Hospital, which consists of two prefabricated huts that were placed there during the First World War. I ask the Minister to go there. Despite the fact that there is a lavish out-patient department, which was opened by Princess Margaret a few weeks ago, the maternity accommodation, which is quite inadequate, is an absolute disgrace to the National Health Service.

Miss Pitt

My right hon. and learned Friend has, in fact, visited the hospital and laid the foundation stone of the accommodation to which the right hon. Lady has referred. To take the place of the maternity unit, my right hon. and learned Friend has authorised the board to proceed with the planning of a new hospital maternity unit of 142 beds at an estimated cost of £540,000. This is included in the Government's programme of major projects and will provide for an overall addition of 19 beds.