HC Deb 13 July 1953 vol 517 cc133-4W
Mr. Poole

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is satisfied that adequate investigations have been made into the case of Private John Owen Hughes who was conscripted into the Army with a medical grading of A.1, and who subsequently died of a disease from which he had suffered since childhood; what steps he is taking to see that similar mistakes do not occur in future; and what compensation he is making to the parents.

Mr. Head

Yes. I have looked most carefully into the treatment of this soldier by the Army medical authorities.

The facts are these. This soldier was examined by the Ministry of Labour and National Service No. 1 Medical Board. Birmingham, on 29th October, 1951, and passed as Grade 1 He was called up for National Service as a signalman on 6th December, 1951, and examined on that day by the unit medical officer who found no signs of any disease and confirmed this assessment. He was again medically examined on 17th April, 1952, and found fit. In connection with all three examinations it must be stressed that the disease which caused his death, angio-neurotic oedema, shows no signs or symptoms between attacks.

On 16th June, 1952, he first attended a military hospital, at Catterick, as an outpatient complaining of occasional swellings of various parts of his body. At once a correct diagnosis of angio-neurotic oedema was made and appropriate treatment was ordered. At the same time it was recommended that his medical category be downgraded, under the standard procedure for this complaint, so that he would be employed only on restricted duties and in a temperate climate. This recommendation was endorsed by a medical board and from July, 1952, until his death he was on sedentary duties as a clerk.

It was not until 8th May this year that further treatment became necessary. This was at Aldershot as a result of a swelling on his leg. He was at once admitted to hospital, fully examined and given treatment. At the same time the nature and possibilities of his complaint and his future in the Army were fully discussed with him. He had already served eighteen months and had only six months to complete and was, of course, in a sedentary occupation. After very careful deliberation it was considered that he would be as safe in the Army, with medical attention always at hand, as in civilian life and he himself agreed that he should not be boarded out. He was given further warnings and detailed written instructions which he was to give immediately to a doctor on any recurrence of swellings, particularly those of the face.

On 8th June he was treated successfully for a minor attack at the Military Hospital, Millbank. Finally, just before going on leave on 14th June this year, he apparently knocked his head on a locker or drawer and, while on leave, fell ill at about midnight on 16th June. He at once reported, as he had been instructed by the Military Hospital, Aldershot, to the nearest hospital in Birmingham. The house surgeon, on reading the letter which he carried, was warned of his condition and, in spite of Hughes' opinion that the attack was subsiding and the fact that he was not in the least distressed, insisted on putting him to bed and treating him. Most regrettably Hughes died 1½ hours after admission.

From this account, I am in no doubt that, throughout his time in the Army, he was treated with due professional skill and with sympathy.

The question of an award to the widow is under consideration by my hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.