§ 23. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the availability of physical medicine under the National Health Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ 52. Mr. Norman Lamontasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what improvements he intends to recommend towards the establishment of a comprehensive rehabilitation service for the physically and mentally handicapped arising out of the report by the subcommittee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Sir Ronald Tunbridge.
§ Sir K. JosephI welcome the interest in rehabilitation but the subject is complex as well as very important and has been relatively neglected for years. The recommendations in the recently published report by a sub-committee of the Standing Medical Advisory Committee range widely over the health and other relevant services. I am anxious to see what can be done now and in the long term to improve all aspects of existing provision, but the many issues referred to in the report will need careful study before policies can be clearly defined. I plan to visit a number of the hospitals with good rehabilitation facilities to inform myself at first hand of the best current practice.
§ Mr. WhiteheadI thank the Minister for that answer. In his study of this problem, would he bear in mind the very grave situation at the Derby Royal Infirmary, where we have an average waiting list of over three months before working people can have any access to physiotherapy or rehabilitation? Is the Minister further aware that the dedicated and overworked staff of that hospital have had their morale somewhat damaged by the knowledge that there is no plan for a 1395 building which would give them better facilities over the next 10 years?
§ Sir K. JosephI fear that the experience of the inhabitants of Derby about rehabilitation is not unique. There is a grave area of national need for improvement. I am intensely aware of the importance of improvement over a whole range of services.
§ Mr. LamontIs my right hon. Friend aware that this is a matter of concern on both sides of the House? When physiotherapy treatment is needed, it is needed urgently. Will my right hon. Friend give higher priority to the training of more doctors and staff in this speciality?
§ Sir K. JosephYes. It is not only physiotherapists and doctors—though they are very important—but a whole range of interacting services and skills which are needed. I ask my hon. Friend to be assured that the Government take the improvement of these rehabilitation services as an important priority.
§ Mr. Carter-JonesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Tunbridge Report said quite clearly that physical medicine need not be a speciality required for rehabilitation? What was said in Tunbridge was that any consultant with an interest in rehabilitation should be considered for appointment in leading a team of all disciplines to assist in rehabilitation.
§ Sir K. JosephI am sure that rehabilitation has implications for almost all medical disciplines and nursing and I am about to embark upon discussions with the professions on the implications of Tunbridge.