§ 3. Mr. Whitakerasked the Minister of Health whether he has any plans for extending home care schemes similar to that successfully operated by St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
§ Mr. LoughlinNo, Sir. Home care is primarily a function of the local health authority and general practitioner services, and my right hon. Friend would not therefore think it appropriate to press other hospital authorities to set up units of this kind.
§ Mr. WhitakerNevertheless, would my hon. Friend encourage this practice, particularly in areas where there is a shortage of beds, because it would enable the specialised nursing and technical facilities available to be concentrated on the most severely ill.
§ Mr. LoughlinWe consider that everything possible should be done to enable the sick child to be treated at home when-even a general practitioner decides that this is in the best interests of the patient.