§ 2.46 p.m.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are aware of the alleged decision of the S.E. Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board to buy clothes for patients under the care of their geriatric service in bulk and of a standardised type, and whether any medical advice was sought before this decision was arrived at.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (BARONESS SEROTA)My Lords, I am advised that the Board has taken no such decision. I am aware that at a meeting of geriatricians in this Region in September the possibility implied in the noble Lord's Question came under discussion but inquiries that I have made have confirmed that no such decision has been taken.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness very much for the categorical reply she has given to my Question which will certainly ease a good deal of troubled thoughts among some of my colleagues.
§ BARONESS BROOKE OF YSTRADFELLTEMy Lords, is the Minister aware of the importance of attractive clothes and good designs to the rehabilitation of geriatric patients? And would she consider the issue of cosmetic wigs to patients of this kind?
§ BARONESS SEROTAMy Lords, I am sure that all noble Lords would dislike the use of institutionalised clothing in any of our hospitals and services that are run for the elderly or handicapped. I will consider the question of cosmetic wigs which are so fashionable to-day. To my knowledge, at present they are provided certainly on medical grounds and, 233 one would also hope, in the case of women (if the noble Baroness, Lady Summerskill, will forgive me for once for being prejudiced in favour of women) where they are also needed for social reasons.