HC Deb 04 July 1966 vol 731 cc8-9
20. Mr. John Lee

asked the Minister of Health if he will review the instructions given to ambulance authorities regarding the collection of emergency cases which do not arise from accidents but from illness in circumstances where a casualty's doctor is not available to certify the course of the illness.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Charles Loughlin)

My right hon. Friend has given no instructions on this matter, which is primarily one for ambulance authorities themselves; but he proposes to ask all authorities to review their present practice in such cases.

Mr. Lee

Is my hon. Friend aware of a very sad case in my constituency, where an ambulance was sent for by a patient who was too ill by the time it arrived to be able to give the name of the doctor and the ambulance men then refused to take him away to hospital because they had no proper authority to do so? While not blaming the ambulance men, may I ask whether my hon. Friend would agree that this is a rather ridiculous situation, and that it should be possible in other situations besides road accidents for people to be taken to hospital without a doctor's certificate?

Mr. Loughlin

I am afraid that I am not in a position to comment entirely on the incident to which my hon. Friend refers, of which I have prior knowledge, but I think that we should recognise that where someone has a sudden illness at home it is necessary to get a doctor to the patient, because even the very act of removing the patient may have serious consequences. As I have indicated in my reply, my right hon. Friend is endeavouring to see that there are clear and precise instructions to ambulance controls so that every possible assistance can be given to patients and relatives.

Dr. David Kerr

Would not my hon. Friend agree that, whatever the circumstances involved in the case at Reading, the general level of help, first-aid and emergency treatment offered by ambulance men is often of the very highest order; and that there should be no question of any reflection on their integrity or ability?

Mr. Loughlin

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have no intention of reflecting on anyone, as to their ability or otherwise. I have admiration, as has my hon. Friend, for the ambulance staffs.