§ Mr. BURDETT-COUTTSasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the duty of the Medical Department of the Admiralty to supply ambulances for the conveyance to hospital of naval officers on leave who are taken dangerously ill in London; is he aware that a well-known London doctor reported to the Admiralty on Sunday morning last that his patient, a naval lieutenant, was suffering from acute pneumonia with a temperature of 104, and should only be removed to hospital by ambulance; that, after promising the doctor that an ambulance would be sent, the Department telephoned to the patient that this could not be done; and that this officer had to get up, go downstairs, and be taken to hospital in a cab, to the imminent danger of his life?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAOn Sunday morning, 3rd November, Dr. Des Vœux notified us by telephone that a patient of his, a naval officer, was ill with influenza; that he was probably suffering also from commencing pneumonia at the base of one lung. The telephone message from the doctor did not lead us to understand that it was his view that the patient should only be removed by ambulance. Our Medical Department replied that the matter would be immediately taken in hand and that an ambulance would be sent if possible. They at once endeavoured to secure an ambulance from two organisations, but were refused on the ground that the case was infectious. So far as our own Medical Department is concerned—and our Medical Director-General has one ambulance attached—the lady who drives the ambulance was on leave and he failed to get into touch with her by telephone. As it was essential that the patient should2534W be immediately removed to hospital this was done, as described by my hon. Friend. The medical officer who dealt with the details of the case reported the matter the next day and arrangements were at once made to have available the services of a second ambulance and to provide a standby driver. I am happy to say that the patient does not appear to have suffered from the circumstances of his removal and is reported this morning to be doing well.