HC Deb 10 February 1959 vol 599 cc191-2W
Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are in being between general hospitals and their respective railway stations to ensure adequate attention being given to patients travelling long distances, and particularly when changes en route have to be made.

Mr. Walker-Smith

No special arrangements appear to be necessary between hospitals and railway stations. Special arrangements, if required, for example, for stretcher cases, would be primarily the responsibility of the ambulance authorities, who keep in close touch with the railway authorities in such circumstances.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that sufficient Parrott stretchers are available at all general hospitals for the comfortable conveyance of patients by rail.

Mr. Walker-Smith

When a hospital calls on the Ambulance Service, the ambulance authority is responsible for the transport arrangements, including any stretcher required for any part of the journey performed by rail. It is not necessary for hospitals to hold special stretchers for this purpose.

Mr. Mason

asked the Minister of Health if he will take steps to have readily available at main line railway stations a Parrott type stretcher which can be used in cases of emergency.

Mr. Walker-Smith

Stretchers of this type are held at various points by railway authorities and can be delivered to any point where they are needed. In addition many ambulance authorities who make considerable use of rail transport have provided themselves with this type, and I have no evidence that the present arrangements are inadequate.