§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Health if he will now make inquiries into the arrangements existing between general hospitals and their respective ambulance services with a view to obtaining a better co-ordinated effort for the conveyance of patients over long distances.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo; the responsibility in this matter is well defined, and it is the practice of the responsible ambulance authority and the requisitioning hospital to consult each other when necessary on any special provision required on the journey.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Health if he will bring to the notice of all hospital boards the recent journey from Wolverhampton to Barnsley of Mr. J. W. King and the urgent need to improve this service.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI do not think that to be necessary. The ambulance authority concerned has already instructed its staff in the right procedure in such cases.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister of Health to what extent it is the present policy of his Department to ensure proper co-ordination of ambulance services and general hospital requirements; and what proposals he has in mind to better this service.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThe need for co-operation has been stressed in advice to both local health authorities and the hospitals. I have no evidence that this advice is being ignored.