§ 41. Mr. A. J. Irvineasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to ensure that youthful sufferers from multiple sclerosis, poliomyelitis, spasticity, rheumatoid arthritis and arteriosclerosis are accommodated in other than chronic wards.
§ Mr. LoughlinRegional boards have been asked to group the younger chronic sick in special wards as far as possible. My Department is at present engaged on a study of the needs of the younger chronic sick patients in hospital. When the results of this study are available, we shall consider what further guidance might be given.
§ Mr. IrvineI am very grateful for that helpful and constructive answer, but will my hon. Friend bear in mind that, in matters of this sort, quite small adjustments in the distribution of accommodation can give rise to considerable relief to sufferers?
§ Mr. LoughlinWe appreciate that even small adjustments can give relief, but my hon. and learned Friend will accept that, very often, it is a question of putting younger patients close to their homes so that parents and friends can visit rather than putting them a long distance from home and imposing an onerous burden on relatives.