§ 1. Dr. David Kerrasked the Minister of Health what proposals he has to implement the recommendation of the Cohen Committee on the Medical Care of the Epileptic.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Kenneth Robinson)I have reviewed developments since the Cohen Committee"s Report. Though the diagnostic and treatment facilities for epileptics have been developed, more needs to be done, and I propose to seek advice on what fresh guidance to further their active treatment and rehabilitation might be issued to hospital and local authorities.
§ Dr. KerrIn thanking my right hon. Friend for his very helpful reply, may I draw his attention to the fact that one of the greatest areas of concern is the school leaver who is labelled an epileptic? Would he consult his right hon. colleagues the Minister of Labour and the Secretary of State for Education and Science to consider ways and means of improving the employability and other opportunities of these young people?
§ Mr. RobinsonI will gladly do that. The point is that hospital provision for epilepsy has largely been developed as part of the general out-patient and inpatient services, and not through the separate facilities which the Cohen Committee recommended. I am not altogether happy about the position, and it is partly on that account that I propose to seek advice.
§ Mr. WoodIs the Minister aware that one of the anxieties of the Committee was that areas existed where advice on the special problems relating to the epileptic was not available? Has there been any advance since the Committee reported in late 1950?
§ Mr. RobinsonI would want notice of that particular point, but it is certainly one of the matters I am taking into account in the review I am having made.