§ Sir George Youngasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many fires occur each year in hospitals; of these how many are thought to be due to patients smoking; how many deaths arise each year as a result; and what action she proposes to take to reduce these hazards.
§ Dr. OwenIn 1974, 65 hospital fires were reported to my Department. 14 were thought to be due to patients smoking and three patients died in these fires. Health authorities have already been asked on health grounds to discourage smoking in wards and hospital staff warned of the fire risks involved in smoking by the more vulnerable confused and elderly patients.