HC Deb 20 March 1967 vol 743 cc1021-4
10. Mr. R. W. Elliott

asked the Minister of Health if, following the success of the mobile physiotherapy service initiated by the Northumberland branch of the British Red Cross Society, he will now grant official recognition to this service and enable the hospital authorities to make a grant towards its cost.

15. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Minister of Health what reply he has sent to the hon. Member for Tynemouth to the letter sent on the request of the Chairman of the British Red Cross Society Mobile Physiotherapy Unit for recognition by his Department and her request for a deputation to include Dr. Hall, Dr. Grant and Dr. Tilley to discuss the future of this successful mobile physiotherapy service.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Julian Snow)

My right hon. Friend has written to the hon. Members explaining why he is unable to accept that this service should be a charge on National Health Service funds.

Mr. Elliott

I thank the hon. Gentleman and his right hon. Friend for writing to us on this subject, but is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the organisers of this very well-thought-out pilot scheme will be most disappointed with the terms of those letters? Is he aware of the success of the scheme? Does he know that hospital beds have been saved by it? Is he further aware that the physiotherapists used are part-time, and that there is a six-week waiting period in our teaching hospital in Newcastle for routine physiotherapy?

Mr. Snow

I should like to examine the hon. Gentleman's statement about the waiting list in the teaching hospital. Our information is, generally speaking, that there are no waiting lists.

Dame Irene Ward

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that I think that this is a most retrograde step? If I might just switch to the right hon. Gentleman—the so-called democratic Minister—does he think that it is right to refuse to receive a deputation consisting of the medical officer of health for the County of Northumberland, distinguished doctors in the north of England, and the British Red Cross Society, all of whom are connected with the running of the scheme? Is he aware that they have had an enormous success with it? What business does he think it is of his not to approve of a new pilot scheme that would have done an enormous amount of good work for patients in the north of England? Is he aware that I think that this is a really lamentable decision, and I wish that I could think of some way—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think that that supplementary question is long enough.

Dame Irene Ward

Then I will write to the Minister—

Mr. Speaker

Order. Mr. Snow.

Mr. Snow

I think that the hon. Lady will understand—

Dame Irene Ward

I do not.

Mr. Snow

—that only one Minister can answer a Question. I am in process of answering two Questions at the present moment. My right hon. Friend was advised on the highest possible medical authority that physiotherapy should remain, as it always has been, under the control of the hospital authority.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Do not my hon. Friend and my right hon. Friend realise that there is very deep concern in the North-East about this matter, and that very strong representation was made by the geriatrician in charge, and all medical opinion I know in the North-East on the issue, that unless this provision is made available it is a question of no provision at all?

Dame Irene Ward

Hear, hear.

Mr. Snow

I am rather surprised to hear my hon. Friend's last remark since, with the possible exception of the teaching hospital, as I have said, we have no information of a waiting list at hospitals in the area.

Mr. Braine

That Answer is really most unsatisfactory. In view of the fact that a domiciliary service like this saves hospital beds, and makes use of trained physiotherapists who are not available for work in the hospitals, that this is a voluntary service, and that the local hospital itself is in favour of it, will not the hon. Gentleman look at the matter again?

Mr. Snow

One has no desire to be dogmatic about these things. The fact of the matter is that these part-time physiotherapists can in the normal course of events—and I am not talking now of this particular locality—be considered for employment in hospitals. I repeat that my right hon. Friend's advice from the highest medical authority is that physiotherapy should remain under the direct control of the hospital authority.

Mr. Braine

Is not the Parliamentary Secretary seized of the fact that there is an acute shortage of physiotherapists in the hospitals, and that there are married women physiotherapists who can work part time but not in the hospitals? This is an ideal scheme for drawing them into the service. As this service would not otherwise be available for patients, will he look at the matter again?

Mr. Snow

The subject has been looked at at very great length. Incidentally, my Department is extremely sorry for the delay in replying to one letter on the subject, but this was due to the fact that it was being considered very fully and at great length. If the hon. Gentleman has any information as to the inability to employ part-time physiotherapists, perhaps he will let me know.

Mr. Elliott

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Due to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Dame Irene Ward

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I also will seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.