§ 22. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of public disquiet concerning the action of a hospital within the Midland Region in allowing a young patient, who had undergone an operation to his head which left it bare with scars, to be discharged dressed only in a dressing gown, pyjamas, and slippers on 23rd December, 1958, for his home in Breconshire, a distance of over 70 miles, with the result that he had to receive treatment at a hospitalen route because of adverse weather conditions; why a sitting-case car was ordered instead of an ambulance; and why the complaint made has not been inquired into in accordance with the procedure laid down.
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§ Mr. R. ThompsonI regret that this patient had such a distressing journey, and I have made inquiries into the circumstances. I am informed that he had been ambulant for three weeks before his discharge, and that is why a sitting case car was ordered. The difficulties during the journey arose largely from the foggy weather and the consequent slowness of the journey, which were not anticipated when a car for a sitting case was ordered; in addition, the effect of the car's heater was neutralised because the driver was obliged to travel with the window open. The patient was, however, provided with an extra woollen garment and socks by the hospital. As regards the last part of the Question, I do not know what particular procedure the hon. Member has in mind but the complaint has been inquired into very thoroughly.