HC Deb 21 September 1948 vol 456 c85W
Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a patient, details of whose case have been submitted to him, while on her way in an ambulance to the maternity department of the Middlesex County Hospital, was prematurely delivered of the baby; that the ambulance was not provided with a trained nurse, notwithstanding that warning had been given of the circumstances, and that the child was injured; and whether he will take steps to prevent the repetition of such a regrettable incident.

Mr. Bevan

In this case a nurse was not readily available. The ambulance reached the house six minutes after the call, left for hospital 13 minutes later and was three minutesen route. The hospital records show no sign of injury to the baby. Shortage of nurses makes it impracticable to allocate them specially for ambulances, but local health authorities seek assistance from hospitals when necessary.