Hospital Treatment (Hansard, 13 January 1987)

§ 1. Mr. Adley
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he takes to investigate complaints from National Health Service patients about the treatment they receive in National Health Service hospitals.

§ The Secretary of State for Social Services (Mr. Norman Fowler)
The investigation of complaints made by National Health Service patients about National Health Service hospital treatment is a matter for the appropriate health authority.

§ Mr. Adley
I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Nevetheless, I bring to his attention the fact that some of my hon. Friends and I have received a number of serious complaints about medical decisions taken and treatment received by patients attending the Royal Victoria hospital at Boscombe, which is out with but near my constituency. To my knowledge, at least four deaths were involved, including the death of a relative of an hon. Member. Unfortunately, in spite of my right hon. Friend's answer, the regional health authority appeared to obfuscate behind a smokescreen of anonymity. It was unwilling to arrange a meeting with those concerned and me, and now has even failed to reply to my last letter of 27 November. What redress do members of the public have in the face of this situation?

§ Mr. Fowler
In view of what my hon. Friend said, it would be sensible, perhaps, if he were to meet the Minister 128 for Health on this matter. The hospital in question seeks to give a good service, and many people speak highly of it.

§ Mr. Nellist
Will the Secretary of State reconsider his earlier answer and extend the requested investigation to the condition of patients before they reach hospital so that it takes account of a number of occurrences in Coventry during the recess? Ambulance services are deteriorating because of the insufficient number of vehicles and crews. One person waited 50 minutes for an ambulance from Solihull because one was not available in Coventry. After suffering a heart attack, that person died before the ambulance could reach him. That was not an isolated incident in the past three or four weeks. What will the Secretary of State do to provide more money for crews and vehicles in Coventry?

§ Mr. Fowler
I shall certainly examine the individual case that the hon. Gentleman has raised. Obviously, from what he said, it is a serious issue. I am satisfied that the West Midlands ambulance service is working effectively. Only recently I had the opportunity to see just that.

§ Mr. Bill Walker
When my right hon. Friend considers genuine complaints against the National Health Service, will he also bear in mind the thousands of individuals who receive splendid treatment from the National Health Service, myself included? Will he bear in mind the high standard of professionalism, integrity and dedication of the staff of Ninewells hospital? It is largely through their efforts that I am here today.

§ Mr. Fowler
I am sure that the whole House is pleased to see my hon. Friend restored and returned to this place. He is right. All the opinion polls of those who have experience of the Health Service show that people are overwhelmingly satisfied with the service that they receive.

§ Mr. Meadowcroft
Given that there is generally a high level of satisfaction with the treatment that people receive when they arrive for the appropriate care, will the Secretary of State comment on the problem that arises when people have to wait for treatment by specialists involved with both the private and the National Health Service sectors? Prospective patients are told that if they pay they can be seen more quickly. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that causes great distress to many people?

§ Mr. Fowler
Yes, but that is not remotely the general position. Of course, we can have a debate about the situation in both the private and public sectors. As I understand it, the hon. Gentleman's party supports the concept of a private sector. I do not find that the types of complaint he is making are remotely typical of the Health Service.

§ Mr. Speller
I should like to take my right hon. Friend back to the first question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Christchurch (Mr. Adley) and stress that my hon. Friend is not alone in pointing out the problems of that hospital in Boscombe. Mr. Thomas, the father of one of my constituents, died there in September last year. No satisfaction or information has been obtainable through community health councils or the hospital. Is my right hon. Friend replying to my letter of 6 December to his office? May I associate myself with any meeting held with the Minister for Health as suggested by my right hon. Friend?

§ Mr. Fowler
I believe that a reply will be sent to my hon. Friend in the next 24 hours. I am sure that my hon. Friend the Minister for Health will be delighted to see my hon. Friend in the deputation.