§ 42. Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Minister of Health what representations were received concerning the installation of bed lifts at Baguley Hospital, Manchester; what consultations took place with the hospital's medical staff on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonOnly those forwarded to me by my hon. Friend. The 32 medical advisory committee, and the Baguley Hospital House Committee on which the medical staff are represented, were consulted and their views considered, and there was a special meeting between members and officers of the regional hospital board and the hospital management committee on 13th December, 1965, at which members of the medical staff expressed their views on the proposal.
§ Mr. MorrisWas not inconvenience, not to say pain, caused to seriously ill patients by the choice of stretcher lifts instead of bed lifts? Is my right hon. Friend fully satisfied that there was sufficient consultation with the senior medical staff?
§ Mr. RobinsonYes, Sir. I am satisfied that there was sufficient consultation. I accept that bed lifts would have been preferable and so does the regional hospital board. It was a matter of whether the hospital could afford to wait until bed lifts could be provided, and on balance it was thought that stretcher lifts immediately was the preferable alternative.