§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of hypothermia were recorded in each London borough in the last three years for which figures are available; how many 485W deaths were recorded in each London borough in which hypothermia was a contributory factor; and what percentage of such cases and deaths were of persons over pensionable age.
§ Sir K. JosephThe only available information relates to deaths during 1971 where hypothermia was mentioned on the death certificate. These were as follows:
DEATHS IN 1971 WHERE HYPOTHERMIA WAS MENTIONED ON THE DEATH CERTIFICATE London Borough Persons all ages Males over 65 and Females over 60 (a) (b) (c) Brent 5 5 Camberwell 1 1 Chelsea 1 1 Croydon 1 1 Ealing 2 2 Enfield 4 4 Fulham 2 2 Hackney 1 1 Hammersmith 1 0 Hampstead 1 0 Haringey 1 1 Havering 2 1 Hendon 1 1 Hillingdon 3 3 Islington 3 2 Kensington 1 1 Kingston upon Thames 3 2 Lambeth 8 5 Paddington 1 1 Poplar and Bethnal Green 2 2 Richmond upon Thames 1 1 St. Marylebone 2 2 St. Pancras 5 5 Stepney 2 0 Stoke Newington 1 1 Sutton 1 1 Waltham Forest 3 3 Wandsworth 3 3 Newham 2 1 Westminster 4 3 Total 68 56 (100%) (82%) There were no deaths recorded with mention of hypothermia in the London boroughs not included above.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the definition used by his Department of the medical condition known as hypothermia.
§ Sir K. JosephThe term hypothermia may be taken to indicate an abnormally low body temperature. My Department has not issued advice as to a precise quantification of this but I understand that a temperature of 35ÖC (95F) or below is generally accepted and used by the486W medical and nursing profession as indicative of hypothermia.
§ Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will undertake an urgent review of the available evidence on hypothermia.
§ Sir K. JosephThe available evidence on hypothermia is kept under continuous review.