HC Deb 18 November 1968 vol 773 cc210-1W
79 and 80. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many patients have been admitted to the General and the Dudley Road Hospitals in Birmingham since 1st August, 1968, diagnosed as suffering from acute myocardial infarction or coronary thrombosis; what are the number and qualifications of staff in these fully equipped intensive coronary care areas assigned to these patients; how many special ambulances are involved in the experiment; and what are the personnel and the technical qualifications of the staff travelling with these ambulances;

(2) how many beds fully equipped and monitored have been provided in both the intensive care areas and the general wards in the General Hospital and the Dudley Road Hospital, Birmingham, since 1st August, 1966, to deal with cases of myocardinal infarction and coronary thrombosis; and if he will specify in the case of each hospital the number of beds fully equipped and monitored in both hospitals.

Mr. Snow

Between 1st August and 31st October, 1968, 104 patients with a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (which would include coronary thrombosis) were admitted to the General Hospital, Birmingham and 132 to the Dudley Road Hospital. Since October, 1966, five beds at the General Hospital have been fully equipped and monitored for intensive coronary care. Six beds have been similarly provided at the Dudley Road Hospital since April, 1968. The units at both hospitals are supervised by a consultant cardiologist and the patients are also under the care of their own consultant physician. The nursing staff consists of a nursing sister and six staff nurses at the General Hospital and three sisters, four staff nurses and one State enrolled nurse at the Dudley Road Hospital.

A medical officer, sometimes accompanied by a nurse, travels to the patient in a special vehicle with resuscitation equipment and may go with the patient to hospital by ambulance. The ambulances are provided by the local authority with the usual personnel.

It will be several months before the results of the trial can be assessed.