§ 47. Mr. V. Yatesasked the Minister of Health what consideration he has now given to the official report by Dr. Sheldon about the conditions in certain Midlands hospitals; whether he will hold an inquiry into the matter; and what action he proposes to take to remedy these unsatisfactory conditions.
§ Mr. PowellThe Birmingham Regional Hospital Board has taken this report into account in preparing its building programme, which I am now studying. I see no need for another inquiry.
§ Mr. YatesI can appreciate that, but is the Minister aware that this report has been given premature publication and has obviously given rise to great anxiety about some of the most alarming conditions in Midlands hospitals? Does he intend to publish the report or make it available to the public so that the facts 885 can be known? What action will he take to remedy the worst faults which are brought out in this report?
§ Mr. PowellOn the first part of the supplementary question, there is, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, a copy of the report in the Library, and I understand that the Regional Board is making the report available. The remedy to the deficiencies to which the report draws attention should be in the building programme for the region.