§ THE EARL OF MANSFIELD asked His Majesty's Government whether they are aware that a licence to build an isolation extension to the maternity ward at Perth Royal Infirmary has been refused to the directors of the infirmary; and whether this decision can be reversed, in view of the urgent need for this accommodation for potentially infectious and other difficult cases.
§ The noble Earl said: My Lords, the question which I have put on the Paper is one which, although of only local importance, is of great importance locally. The maternity department at Perth Royal Infirmary has in the course of the last few years almost 928 doubled its clientele, and it is badly in need of extension although we cannot expect to get that extension until after the war. It is, however, a matter of the most extreme urgency that we should get an isolation ward for potentially infectious or other difficult maternity cases. I use the words "potentially infectious" because once a case is actually infectious it can be removed to the fever hospital, but if the period of doubt lasts several days the position is very difficult, particularly in cases of eclampsia in which complete rest should be given. At present the directors of the Royal Infirmary have no such accommodation and are unable to provide it. They have been refused a licence to build the necessary accommodation, although bricks and cement can be obtained locally and very little extra material would be needed. They have the added grievance that a day nursery set up in Perth shortly after the war is now being greatly extended, in order doubtless to enable mothers to deposit their children there and go to war work. As, however, the amount of such work in Perth is very limited that does not seem necessary, and efforts might be much better employed in building an isolation ward. That is not merely the opinion of the directors of the infirmary but of the medical staff, the gynaecologists, the medical officers of health for both the city and the county, of the Town Council of Perth and of the County Council. I hope therefore that I may be given a favourable reply.
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, the extension of the maternity ward has been discussed between representatives of the infirmary, the local authorities and the Department of Health for Scotland. To provide a speedier alternative to building and to conserve labour and materials the Department offered to place certain existing beds at the directors' disposal. This offer remains open and the Department hope shortly to be able to discuss with the local authorities other proposals for meeting the shortage of maternity beds in this area.
THE EARL OF MANSFIELDMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. It is difficult to ask any supplementary in view of the end of that reply, but may I ask if it is realized that unless accommodation is provided neither the directors of the Royal Infirmary nor the local authorities concerned can take any responsibility for what may occur?
§ LORD SNELLMy Lords, I will report the noble Earl's remarks to the proper quarter, but the reply at the moment is that no immediate building can take place because of shortage of labour.