HC Deb 01 May 1967 vol 746 cc68-70
22. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Health if he will send a circular to medical officers of health asking them to examine the possibility of undertaking periodic public health screening campaigns on the lines of the recent experiment in Rotherham.

Mr. K. Robinson

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 14th April to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick).—[Vol. 744, c. 275.]

Mrs. Butler

In view of the very keen public response and the enthusiasm of the medical officers and their staff in areas where these services have been carried out, and the significant results obtained, will not my right hon. Friend look at this matter again and regard these as very valuable pilot schemes towards a preventive health service which should be encouraged in every possible way?

Mr. Robinson

My department, in collaboration with the Medical Research Council, has for many years taken the initiative in arranging research to establish the value of screening for various diseases. We are financing a number of studies. I and my advisers are in close touch with the Medical Officer of Health over his health weeks in Rotherham and we await a report of the findings of the most recent week.

Mr. Winnick

Does not there seem to be a great deal of hesitation and reluctance on the part of the Ministry to encourage such schemes? Were not a number of illnesses found during this health week which otherwise would probably not have been discovered for some time?

Mr. Robinson

I have told my hon. Friend already that my Standing Advisory Medical Committee tells me that screening of the general public should be undertaken only for conditions which can clearly and accurately be diagnosed and for which effective treatment is available. It is within that framework that we are studying what extensions would be desirable in the preventive field.

Mr. Braine

I accept what the right hon. Gentleman has just said, but is he satisfied that there are enough public health medical and other staff to ensure effective screening programmes where these are thought to be desirable and to ensure the follow-up which must be done if there is to be effective treatment?

Mr. Robinson

There are several considerations to be taken into account. There is the burden on the existing hospital service which may result, and the question whether screening is most appropriately undertaken within the framework of the general medical service or the community health service. I assure the hon. Gentleman that all these matters are being studied.

Sir G. Sinclair

In view of the public response to screening in this limited problem, what plans has the Minister for expanding the training of the technicians who must support the medical practitioners in carrying out any such screening?

Mr. Robinson

I take it that the hon. Gentleman is referring to screening for cervical cancer, though the Question was put in a wider context. I assure him that training is going on satisfactorily, and the number of trained technicians is increasing rapidly week by week.

Mrs. Butler

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek an early opportunity to raise the matter on the Adjournment.