§ Mr. Crowderasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the practice of certain hospitals in discharging patients who have suffered from infectious diseases whilst they are still able to transmit such infection to other people; and whether he will issue instructions to the local authorities and others concerned with a view to ensuring that strict isolation is insisted upon in such cases?
§ Sir K. WoodNo, Sir. I am advised that there is no definite period of isolation after which scarlet fever patients, which I understand my hon. Friend has in mind, can be guaranteed free from infection, but I have no knowledge that it is the practice of any hospitals to discharge such patients while they are known to be a potential source of infection. I understand it is the general practice as an added precaution to advise that the patients should so far as possible be isolated at home, especially from susceptible children for a fortnight or so after discharge. In the circumstances I do not think that the issue of instructions as suggested would serve any useful purpose.