§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the Minister of Health whether, with regard to the complaint made by the Ross Board of Guardians to the Westbury-on-Severn Board in connection with the death of a casual named Frederick Sevier in the Ross Union, in which ease the house committee of the Westbury Board made an investigation of the ease in the presence of the general inspector of the Ministry of Health, he will state what were the particulars of the case; whether any neglect by any of the officers of the guardians or defective administration was shown; whether all the records prescribed by the Minister had been kept; and what directions were given that further records be kept in connection with the admission of casuals into the infirmary wards?
§ Sir K. WOODFrederick Sevier was admitted to the casual wards of the Westbury-on-Severn Guardians on the night of 28th December, 1928. It appears that when he was told on the morning of 29th December that he would be detained and required to perform a task of stone-breaking, he became abusive and said he would do no work until he had seen the doctor. Within half an hour of making this statement, and without any pressure or interference from officers of the institution, he began his task. He made no further application for medical assistance whilst in the casual ward. He was discharged at 10.30 a.m. in the same morning and was apparently taken ill on the way to Ross; he was admitted to the infirmary of the Ross institution at 3.15 on the same day suffering from pneumonia, and, in spite of every care 2271W and attention, he died in the institution five days later, on 3rd January, 1929. With regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend considers that the officer of the Westbury institution should have reported to the master the deceased's application to see the doctor, land he has concurred in the action of the guardians in severely reprimanding the officer for this neglect. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the question, there has been failure to comply with the regulations that any application by a casual to see the medical officer, and any action taken thereon, shall be recorded, and directions have now been issued for the proper keeping of this record.