§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that through recent requisitioning of another 50 per cent. beds in the London hospitals occasioned by the opening of the Second Front, the admission of civilian patients to the London hospitals has become almost impossible; and, as this has serious results upon the civilian population, whether he will now release for civilian use a proportion of the empty beds reserved for military casualties.
§ Mr. WillinkAs part of the plans for receiving casualties from Western Europe, hospitals throughout the country were asked to restrict the admission of civilian patients, the aim being to reduce occupancy on the average to about 50 per cent. of the beds. In some hospitals this step was necessary in order to secure more beds for the casualties, and in others, notably in London, to set free staff for for the hospitals specially designated to receive the casualties on arrival in this country. At the same time, it was made clear that the restrictions were not to be applied to patients in immediate need of treatment in hospital. In view of recent developments of the war situation my officers are now arranging for the restrictions to be relaxed, bearing in mind the varying needs at each hospital of civilian and service patients respectively.