§ 45. Mr. Burdenasked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the statement by the East Kent coroner on 14th September, 1965, during the inquest on Mrs. Capeling of Gillingham, regarding her treatment in hospital, details of which have been sent to him; and what action he proposes to take.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonYes, Sir. I am satisfied that no blame attaches either to the doctors or to the hospital authorities concerned.
§ Mr. BurdenIn the light of the investigations which the right hon. Gentleman has carried out, will he agree that the remarks of the East Kent coroner verged on being irresponsible? Will he agree also that the standards of treatment at the particular hospital are of the highest, and that the unfortunate feature of the coroner's remarks was that they would be likely to create alarm in people having 612 to attend the hospital for treatment? Finally, will he say whether the suggestion that people who attempt to commit suicide should be kept in hospital for 48 hours has been extended to other hospitals?
§ Mr. RobinsonI should want notice of the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question. I entirely agree with him about the standard of treatment at this hospital. As regards the first part of what he said, I have already written to him, and I think that I had better content myself with saying that doctors from overseas play an essential part in staffing our hospital services and we owe a great deal to them.