South Ockendon Hospital (Inquiry)

HC Deb 27 April 1972 vol 835 cc353-4W

Mr. Delargy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the inquiry at South Ockendon Hospital.

Sir K. Joseph

In my replies on 11th April to the right hon. Lady the Member for Blackburn (Mrs. Castle) I said that the hospital management committee had set up an inquiry into complaints it had received about nursing standards, and that if any need for a further inquiry emerged I would take any necessary action. The hospital management committee has since asked that these complaints should be referred to an independent inquiry.

After consultation with the North-East Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board I have accordingly decided to set up an independent and wider inquiry under Section 70 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, with terms of reference to inquire into the care of patients at South Ockendon Hospital. The names of the persons appointed to conduct this inquiry will be announced as soon as possible. I intend to publish their report.—[Vol. 834, c. 1002–4.]