§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to ensure that the counselling advisory service is generally available to paraplegics, both in hospitals and in their homes.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisHealth and social services staff are responsible for the total care of a disabled person, and this will involve any counselling on social or other problems. I understand that the Spinal Injuries Association is seeking to establish a counselling advisory service specifically for paraplegics and tetraplegics, and I shall be interested to see how this develops.
702Ware in each unit; and what the comparable figures were for five and 10 years ago, respectively.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe number of spinal injury units within the National Health Service in England has remained at six since 1966. The locations and numbers of beds for each unit for the years 1976, 1971 and 1966 are as follows:—
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what facilities currently exist under the National Health Service for the rehabilitation of paraplegic and tetraplegic patients where they learn to live independent of hospital facilities before final discharge to the outside world; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisAll patients in spinal injuries units have access to hospital rehabilitation facilities, and these have the objective of enabling the disabled person to acquire the skills in daily living and self-care necessary for life in the community. Staff in spinal injuries units are aware of the need for close liaison with the community health services and the social services department to ensure the continuing support of the patient once he has left hospital. I am advised that it is, in general, preferable for a spinal injury patient to be discharged to his or her home where this is possible, as an intermediate period in an institutional setting can have an adverse effect on the rehabilitative process.
§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking within the NHS to reduce the incidence of bed sores among paraplegic patients; and what advice he gives hospitals within the National Health Service as to how to handle paraplegic patients so as to diminish the incidence of bed sores.
703W
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisWhile it is not for my right hon. Friend to advise professional staff on how to carry out their clinical duties, the training of physiotherapists and other professionals includes the prevention and treatment of pressure sores and the care of pressure areas. The Joint Board of Clinical Nursing Studies has recently issued a syllabus for post-basic training in the care of patients with spinal cord lesions. This includes material on problems associated with pressure. Similarly, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has a post-training registration programme which includes courses on the management of spinal injury patients. I understand that the Spinal Injuries Association is considering the publication of a booklet on the total care of the spinal injury patient, which will also include reference to pressure sores and pressure areas. I will do what I can to ensure that this booklet receives wide publicity. My Department is sponsoring a project to assess the effectiveness of aids which are of use in preventing sores, and is considering further work in this area.