HC Deb 05 February 1991 vol 185 cc145-7
3. Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he has taken to ensure that the best medical facilities in this country are available when needed to treat Gulf war coalition casualties; and if he will make a statement.

10. Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received with regard to the additional resourcing requirements of hospitals likely to be caring for possible casualties of the Gulf war.

Mr. Waldegrave

Health authorities have made arrangements to treat British Gulf casualties. The national health service will be able to recover the full costs of such treatment.

Mr. Strang

Has the Secretary of State heard the Prime Minister's warning that Saddam Hussein might soon resort to the use of chemical weapons? Does he agree with the views of medical experts that in the worst-case scenario, our burns and plastic surgery units might be overwhelmed with thousands of casualties? Is he satisfied that health authorities are taking all immediate steps to increase the number of staff available in such units, as it is likely that staff, rather than equipment and buildings, will limit the number of people who can be treated quickly?

Mr. Waldegrave

Yes, Sir. I am satisfied that the health service is well prepared. The remarks to which the hon. Gentleman may be referring were originally made by Professor McGrouther, a great man in plastic surgery. I am happy to say that last week he said that he was quite satisfied that the health service is fully prepared.

Mr. Lofthouse

Will the Secretary of State give an assurance to the House that no patients will be turned away from hospitals before any Gulf casualties arrive in Britain? If it has to happen, will he ensure that national health service patients share the sacrifice equally with private patients in national health service beds?

Mr. Waldegrave

We do not believe that it will be necessary for patients to be turned away from hospitals or for wards to be emptied at present. It is worth remembering that if the worst comes to the worst and there are many casualties, there will be a considerable warning time before patients begin to arrive in national health service hospitals.

Mr. Michael Morris

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have checked with Northampton district health authority and in particular Northampton general hospital and that I have only the utmost praise for the preparations that have been undertaken? May I say a particular thank you to the Department of Health?

Mr. Waldegrave

I am grateful to my hon. Friend. I join him in saying that the Gulf crisis shows the health service once again at its very best. The speedy co-operation that has been exercised between the different levels—region, centre, district and hospital—is exemplary.

Mr. Arbuthnot

Will my right hon. Friend confirm that the Government will meet the full extra cost of Gulf casualties so that any increase in waiting lists does not last too long?

Mr. Waldegrave

I give my hon. Friend that assurance in the clearest terms.

Rev. Martin Smyth

While accepting the Secretary of State's assurance about the immediate care of casualties, may I ask about their long-term care? Will they be left to depend on local charities or will adequate provision be made for them in their communities?

Mr. Waldegrave

The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. The Ministry of Defence and the forces have considerable expertise in the matter. My hon. Friend the Minister for Health will be answering a question later today about the role of the social services in this.

Mr. Allason

Did my right hon. Friend see the televised broadcast on behalf of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Airmen's Families Association during the weekend and does he agree that the point might be misinterpreted? Will he confirm that there is plenty of room for rehabilitation and recuperation for any Gulf casualties and that the private sector will not have to contribute places?

Mr. Waldegrave

As I said, the national health service and the organisations that are accountable to the House are well prepared for any challenge that may face them.

Mr. Robin Cook

In view of the Secretary of State's welcome assurance to my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Mr. Lofthouse) that it should not be necessary for hospitals to turn away patients now, may I invite him to comment on a letter that I have seen that was sent to a woman in her 80s advising her that many operations have been cancelled at the hospital in question because beds are already closed for Gulf casualties? Does he agree that it would be wrong if elderly patients were to become early casualties of the Gulf war? Will he urge health authorities to meet the new emergency not by closing even more beds but by bringing back into service some of the 27,000 that have been closed under Conservative rule?

Mr. Waldegrave

If the hon. Gentleman had been interested in receiving a serious reply to a serious question, he would have been courteous enough to raise the matter with me earlier. If he will send me the letter, I will give him a proper reply.

Mr. Sims

Although the treatment of Gulf casualties may mean the postponement of non-urgent operations, may we be assured that there will be no diminution in the ability of the NHS to respond to civil emergencies such as multiple car crashes or the recent Cannon street train crash?

Mr. Waldegrave

My hon. Friend's point is entirely fair. I have been assured by the chief executive of the health service that it will be able to maintain its emergency cover for civil emergencies. It is worth remembering that compared with the scale of activities of the NHS, which treats about 8.5 million cases a year, even the worst-case scenarios about which the commentators have been telling us should be relatively well within its capacity.