HC Deb 29 March 1979 vol 965 cc335-6W
Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what powers are available to area health authorities to restrain and treat a patient suffering from an advanced and active form of tuberculosis who refuses treatment.

Mr. Moyle

Under the Public Health Act 1936 there are several provisions for preventing the spread of infection. A person suffering from a notifiable disease such as tuberculosis may be removed to hospital and detained there if he has no proper accommodation to return to, but there are no statutory powers to enable treatment to be given without a patient's consent.

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