§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the case of Rennie Mintern, who was treated in St. Mary's Hospital, Harrow Road, in the light of the details 252W sent to him by the hon. Member for Willesden, West; and if he will ensure that his Department pubicises the efficient performance of this hospital in this and similar cases.
§ Mr. CrossmanRennie Mintern, then aged 6, was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital, Harrow Road, in May, 1967, after a road accident in which he was seriously injured. An operation was performed upon him and he made a rapid and uneventful recovery. This, took place about a month before David Tomlinson was admitted to the same ward. Rennie has since attended the accident and emergency department on two other occasions for treatment for further accidents. In a recent letter to the local Press his father joined with four others in expressing thanks to St. Mary's Hospital for the skilful nursing, cheerful encouragement and care from the doctors, nurses and all the staff that they and their children have received as in patients at this hospital. They say that Rennie "had the greatest care and attention". I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this letter. As I told the House on 15th December in answer to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Renée Short), I have discussed with regional hospital board chairmen measures to improve communications with the public and Press generally, and both I and my hon. Friends will take every suitable opportunity to publicise the very valuable work that is being done in our hospitals.—[Vol. 793, c. 894–5.]