HC Deb 27 July 1976 vol 916 cc226-7
1. Mr. Nelson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake a programme of preventive medicine and health education.

4. Mr. Wakeham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to follow up the statements in the document "Prevention and Health: Everybody's Business".

The Minister of State, Department of Mealth and Social Security (Dr. David Owen)

The recent consultative document "Prevention and Health: Everybody's Business" aims to stimulate interest in prevention amongst the general public and in the health service. A series of specific papers will be published over the next few months on fluoridation, occupational health, and services related to pregnancy and childbirth. This programme is being, and will be, further supported by decisions to divert resources, both financial and personnel, towards preventive health.

Mr. Nelson

Is the Minister aware that one out of every three children in the country is not receiving a polio vaccination? Does he recognise that poliomyelitis in other countries could be easily imported into this country? What action does he intend to take to bring to the attention of parents the need for a high level of polio vaccination for children?

Dr. Owen

There has recently been an increase in polio vaccination, and to some extent, that reflects what the hon. Gentleman said about the fairly low uptake in the past. That has concerned me, not just for polio, but other vaccination programmes. Sometimes I wish that the general publicity about vaccination would concentrate more on the benefits than on some of the admitted disadvantages of vaccination, because the advantages of vaccination, when properly organised, far outweigh the disadvantages.

Mrs. Renée Short

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the need to reach the groups of the population that do not normally come into contact with health education would be helped if the Health Education Council had a larger budget than the rather measly £1½ million that it now gets?

Dr. Owen

That is something that we can examine. I am not certain that the way to improve the situation is to increase central resources, but I agree that there is a strong case for spending more. What is needed is more action in the localities, and there the community health councils have a great rôle to play.

Mr. Wakeham

Has the Minister had any discussions about health education with the Secretary of State for Employment?

Dr. Owen

We are in fairly constant touch, particularly over the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, for which the Secretary of State for Employment has a major responsibility and in which my Department has an interest. I have not discussed the matter with the Secretary of State in any detail, but there is regular contact between officials in the Departments.

Mrs. Chalker

What action is being taken to reduce the risk of people having heart attacks, to save the 3,500 beds daily which are occupied by the victims of heart attacks?

Dr. Owen

It is not always for a Minister to take action on such matters. We have to try to get home to people that they have a considerable amount of responsibility themselves. As the booklet "Prevention and Health: Everybody's Business" says, we have become too used to thinking that this is a problem to be solved by Ministers, doctors or pills.