§ Dr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he accepts the view of the Health Service Commissioner, in the case referred to him by the hon. Member for Motherwell and 167W Wishaw, relating to Mrs. Margaret McDonagh, of 398 Bellshill Road, Motherwell, who was admitted to a private nursing home without her consent while on holiday in Eastbourne with £175 in cash in her possession, namely, that a patient who is unable to express an opinion, and who has no friends or relatives available to do so on her behalf, should be admitted to a NHS bed rather than to a private bed, unless it is obvious that it would be quite inappropriate.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe decision whether to admit a patient to an NHS hospital rests with the hospital doctor to whom the patient has been referred and is a matter for his clinical judgment. Where, in the opinion of the responsible hospital doctor, such admission is required and the patient is entitled to NHS treatment this should be to a NHS bed unless the patient, or in appropriate cases his representative, seeks admission to a private bed. Thus I agree with the view of the Health Service Commissioner as quoted by my hon. Friend.