§ 3.4 p.m.
§ Earl AttleeMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many hospitals (and homes designated as hospitals) in the Greater London area do not have facilities for inpatients to receive incoming telephone calls.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur)My Lords, information about the provision of telephone facilities for hospital patients is not available centrally. Health authorities differ in their policies on incoming calls, but it is usually possible to arrange for a patient to receive an incoming call through the ward telephone service. Such arrangements are, of course, at the discretion of the ward staff.
§ Earl AttleeMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord the Minister for his Answer, but is he aware that there are many hospitals and homes with long-term patients who are denied the right to receive incoming telephone calls?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I know that the noble Earl has a particular interest in the Marie Foster Home at Barnet because he kindly gave me forewarning that it concerned him. So far as other homes of that sort are concerned, I cannot comment, but as regards this one, I can say that the health authority in whose area it is is already aware of the problem and has consulted British Telecom to obtain expert advice on the equipment needed to meet the noble Earl's concern.
§ Lord EnnalsMy Lords, does the noble Lord agree that it can make a great deal of difference to the morale of patients if they can receive a call from family or friends rather than always having to make an outgoing call, particularly if they are elderly? Is it not within the capacity of his right honourable friend the Secretary of State to advise health authorities that they should do their best to ensure that there is two-way communication by telephone for patients in hospital, particularly for long-term patients?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I entirely take the point which the noble Lord, Lord Ennals, makes. Of course 273 it is a matter primarily for health authorities, but the department will be issuing to health authorities in the forthcoming whole hospital building note guidance on the provision of public coin-operated telephones, both fixed and mobile.
§ Lord RentonMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that it is not only a question of incoming calls but that for family reasons patients very often need to make outgoing calls as well, and it is frequently made difficult for them to do so and sometimes the expense of doing so is considerable? In further consideration of this matter, will he kindly bear that in mind?
§ Lord GlenarthurYes, my Lords, I shall certainly bear what my noble friend says closely in mind. So far as outgoing calls are concerned, I understand that in most hospitals patients are able to make them from either fixed or mobile coin-operated telephones, so presumably the charges levied on the coin-operated machines are the same as those levied elsewhere on coin-operated machines.
Lord Wallace of CoslanyMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in this connection the League of Friends give a remarkable service in providing mobile telephones and taking them round to the wards? Should not an extension of this in many hospitals be encouraged and welcomed?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I am well aware of the contribution made by the League of Friends. That of course will continue to be something for which we have high regard.
Lord Paget of NorthamptonMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that we fully appreciate that he is not in a position at the moment to answer this Question, but will he assure us that he will get us the information? It is information in which we are very interested.
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I am not entirely sure of the question about which the noble Lord is particulary asking.
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, when I answered the noble Earl, and indeed the noble Lord, Lord Ennals, I hope I indicated that we were taking steps to try to make those arrangements for hospitals that are built in the future. But there are difficulties in using coin operated telephones for incoming calls, because people can reverse charges on those and the charges may be met in an improper way.
Lord Paget of NorthamptonMy Lords, the only thing that I am asking for is the information that the Question asks for and not the Government's good intentions. When the noble Lord finds out what the position is, can he let us know?
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, it is a matter for the health authorities concerned. We do not hold the information centrally, but I shall certainly make inquiries and if we can provide the information I shall 274 try to help the noble Lord. But I cannot promise that it will be possible.