§ 29. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will state the number of polio victims in and out of hospital; how much it costs to keep them; how many of them are earning; how the costs to the State of their maintenance compare with the actual costs; and if he will state his plans for the future in this sphere of the health service.
Dr. DunwoodyIn 1967 there were 1,280 admissions to hospitals of patients suffering from the late effects of polio; 40 per cent. of these were children under age 15. A special survey in April, 1967, of hospital patients classified as younger chronic sick aged 16–60 showed 78 with disabilities due to polio. Information about adults living at home who have had polio will become available next year from detailed analysis of the Government Social Survey of the chronic sick and handicapped.