HC Deb 26 February 1963 vol 672 cc1057-8
3. Mr. C. Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to send a surgeon to St. Helena for permanent duty.

Mr. Fisher

The island's Senior Medical Officer is a medical practitioner fully capable of major surgery. A second doctor with surgical experience will leave for the island the day after tomorrow.

Mr. Hughes

But if the doctor is capable of major surgery, why was it necessary to obtain the services of a surgeon from this country to perform the operations after the accident?

Mr. Fisher

It was rather an exceptional accident. There were nine people with very serious injuries, as the hon. Gentleman knows, and it was thought advisable to send reinforcements, but the doctor is, in fact, capable of major surgery and does carry it out in the hospital there.

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