HC Deb 23 June 1960 vol 625 cc745-6

Amendment made: In page 24. line 6, leave out "Board" and insert "Commission".—[Mr. Galbraith.]

Mr. Galbraith

I beg to move, in page 24, line 12, after "to", to insert: his nearest relative and to". The effect is to require the nearest relative to be told within seven days of the transfer when a patient is transferred from one hospital to another, from one guardian to another, or between hospital and guardianship under this Clause. It meets an undertaking which I gave in Committee.

I assure the House that administrative arrangements will be made to ensure that the nearest relative is told whenever possible before a transfer takes place, but since practical difficulties may arise to prevent this, for example where a transfer has to be made urgently, the statutory duty is confined to a requirement on the receiving hospital or local authority to inform the nearest relative within seven days of the transfer.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 24, line 12, leave out "Board" and insert "Commission".—[Mr. Galbraith.]