§ 62. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health if he has considered details, which have been sent to him, concerning Mr. Richter, of 33, Keswick Road, West Wickham, Kent, and the failure of the Emergency Bed Service to find him prompt accommodation; and if he will take steps to re-organise the Emergency Bed Service.
§ Mr. BevanThe purpose of the Emergency Bed Service is to help doctors to find beds for the comparatively small number of emergency cases not admitted by direct contact between the doctor and the hospital. In this case the Service was unable to find a bed before the doctor himself did. The difficulties are due to shortage of staffed beds, not to the organisation of the Emergency Bed Service.