HC Deb 16 April 1914 vol 61 cc338-40W
Mr. ASTOR

asked the President of the Local Government Board what was the total cost of institutional treatment of the sick poor for the last three years for which figures are available?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

It is impossible to distinguish the cost of the treatment of sickness from the other expenses of maintenance of institutions. The Royal Commission on the Poor Laws and Relief of Distress estimated "that at least one-half of the total cost of pauperism is swallowed up in direct dealing with sickness." One-half of the total cost of the relief of the poor in the years ended March, 1911, 1912, and 1913 was approximately £7,500,000, £7,230,000, and £7,460,000, respectively.

Mr. ASTOR

also asked how many Poor Law Unions own infirmaries used only for the treatment of the sick poor?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

There are in England and Wales 271 Poor Law Infirmaries used only for the treatment of the sick poor.

Mr. ASTOR

next asked how many boards of guardians have less than 100 beds for the treatment of the sick poor in their own workhouses and infirmaries, respectively; how many have between 100 and 200 beds; how many between 200 and 300; and how many over 300 beds?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Number of boards of guardians who have provided beds for the treatment of the sick poor:—

Less than 100 beds. 100–200 beds. 200–300 beds. Over 300 beds.
Workhouses 380 36 16 18
Infirmaries 144 41 27 59
The above table includes the provision for chronic cases, and cases under medical care but not needing active or continuous treatment or special nursing, as well as acute cases. It does not include the number of beds provided by the Metropolitan Asylums Board or by other joint Poor Law authorities.

Mr. ASTOR

asked how many boards of guardians have appointed salaried nurses for attending outdoor sick; how many subscribe to local nursing associations for such attendance; and how many make no provision for nursing the outdoor sick poor?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

In eight unions the guardians employ salaried nurses appointed by themselves to attend the outdoor sick; 473 boards of guardians have been authorised by the Local Government Board to subscribe to district nursing associations. In the remaining 165 unions no similar provision has, so far as I am aware, been made, but I may point out that in these unions both the board of guardians and the relieving officers have power to employ a nurse to attend any particular case when required.

Mr. ASTOR

further asked how many district medical officers receive a fixed salary for giving out-door medical relief; how many are paid by attendance; and how many by population?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

The total number of district medical officers in England and Wales last year was 3,761. In all but six cases the remuneration is by fixed salary, with additional fees for midwifery cases and operations. In two unions payment is made wholly, and in four partly, by fees per attendance, Population has not been adopted as a direct basis for remuneration in any case.