Mr. GUINEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what reasons are adduced for sending tubercular patients from Munster to the Newcastle sanatorium, county Wicklow, when there is accommodation available in Munster at the Heatherside sanatorium, Doneraile, and the charge reasonable; and where are the hospitals available in Munster for the treatment of chronic tubercular patients situate?
§ Mr. MASTERMANThe local insurance committees are responsible for making the718W most suitable arrangements for each person entitled to sanatorium benefit. They are not restricted to making arrangements with institutions in their own area, and the decision as to where a particular individual shall be sent necessarily depends upon several considerations, including the cost of travelling and of maintenance, and the character of the treatment required. No institution in Munster has yet been approved specifically for the treatment of advanced cases of tuberculosis.
§ Mr. FLEMINGasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the lack of accommodation in existing sanatoria at the disposal of the Reading Insurance Committee, as a result of which, out of six cases certified as suffering from tuberculosis requiring treatment, admission has only been obtainable for one; and whether he is prepared to give effect to the desire of the committee that the Act should be so amended as to permit of sanatoria provided by Poor Law authorities being used for the treatment of insured persons until such time as sufficient accommodation is available elsewhere?
§ Mr. MASTERMANMy attention has been called to a resolution passed by the Reading Insurance Committee with reference to existing accommodation for cases of tuberculosis, and I understand that the Insurance Commissioners have supplied the committee with a list of approved sanatoria to which insured persons suffering from tuberculosis may be admitted. The complete separation of Poor Law institutions from sanatorium treatment under the Act was a principle definitely embodied in the Bill in its passage through this House, and I have no reason to believe that the House has any desire to reverse that decision.