Patients' Homes (Aids)

HC Deb 20 December 1979 vol 976 cc369-71W

Mr. Eastham

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue an advisory circular to health and local social services authorities commending to them the new arrangements in the Man-

date, in how many deaths asbestosis was attributed as the primary cause; in how many cases asbestosis was mentioned but not as primary cause; what was the primary cause in those cases; and in how many cases asbestosis was given as the underlying cause of death;

(2) in how many cases, from 1967 to date, death certificates were issued recording death from mesothelioma; how many additions to the mesothelioma register have been made over the same period; and how many people in either group received disability benefit.

Mr. Prentice

Available details are as follows:

(A) DEATHS ASSIGNED TOASBESTOSIS AS UNDERLYING CAUSE (ICD 515.2). GREAT BRITAIN 1968–77
Deaths registered in years
1968	…	…	…	16
1969	…	…	…	22
1970	…	…	…	30
1971	…	…	…	27
1972	…	…	…	32
1973	…	…	…	28
1974	…	…	…	25
1975	…	…	…	47
1976	…	…	…	29
1977	…	…	…	41

chester area for the provision of aids in patients' homes following discharge from hospital, as outlined in the reply given by the Minister of State for Health to the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Morris) on 13 December; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Prentice

Arrangements for the provision of aids are best left for decision by individual health and social services authorities, and any central guidance might well not fit local circumstances. Health and local authorities are well aware of the need for full collaboration.