HC Deb 07 July 1969 vol 786 cc935-6
12. Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to encourage hospital management committees to admit the Press to their meetings.

Mr. Crossman

I am considering how public relations in the hospital service can be further improved. Clearly, access to meetings is one of the best means. I must, however, leave this to the discretion of the hospital management committees as they sometimes have to discuss matters concerning individual patients and staff which ought not to be made public.

Mr. Dobson

I thank my right hon. Friend for the tone of his reply. But does he accept that in many cases hospital management committees could admit the Press to a lot more of their meetings than they obviously plan to do at the moment? Will he, therefore, make further inquiries to improve the position with the object of having the public more involved in these vital community decisions?

Mr. Crossman

Yes. I am certainly prepared to consider this. One thing I am already actively discussing—not with the hospital management committees direct—with the regional hospital boards is the meetings of hospital management committees at a time when a different kind of public can attend, both as members and as the general public, which seems almost as important.

Mr. Lubbock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that hospital management committees do not take important decisions? This Question ought really to have referred to the regional hospital boards, which are extremely poor in their Press relations. What steps will the right hon. Gentleman take, on the lines of his recent statement, to make sure that the regional hospital boards give proper information to members of the public and the staff of the hospitals?

Mr. Crossman

I think that both are important. The hospital management committee is much more concerned with the problem of the individual patient, and that is not unimportant to the public. As for capital investment and balance and closures, this comes at the higher level, and public relations are equally important. I have not advised that merely appointing hundreds of public relations officers would do the job. We need people on those boards who really feel that keeping in contact with the grass roots of the community is important, which is not so in all cases today.