§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to ensure that all children's hospitals provide daily transport for parents of children receiving treatment as in-patients at associated hospitals within the same group, which are situated more than 10 miles from the principal hospital.
§ Mr. AlisonNo.
44W
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is aware that the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London, W.C.1, is unable to afford from its revenue allocation its own daily transport for parents travelling between Great Ormond Street and its associated hospital at Tadworth; and whether he will initiate talks with the governing body with a view to alleviating the difficulties experienced by the parents.
§ Mr. AlisonI am in touch with the Board of Governors over the points raised by the hon. Member in his letter about transport for visitors between these hospitals and will be writing to him.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many, and what, children's hospitals in England and Wales provide daily transport for parents of children receiving in-patient treatment at associated hospitals within the same group, where the associated hospital is situated more than 10 miles from the principal hospital;
(2) which children's hospitals in England and Wales do not provide daily transport for parents of children's receiving in-patient treatment at associated hospitals within the group, where the associated hospital is situated more than 10 miles from the principal hospital.
§ Mr. AlisonThis information is not available.
§ Mr. Clinton Davisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will introduce a scheme to provide for reduced transport charges for parents of children who are receiving treatment as in-patients at children's hospitals where the hospital is situated more than 10 miles from the home of the parents in question.
§ Mr. AlisonMy right hon. Friend has no general powers to contribute towards the travel expenses of visitors to patients in hospitals. The provision of transport to help parents and other visitors to hospitals over difficult journeys is an especially suitable field for voluntary effort and we will give this every encouragement.