§ Mr. Macleanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the number of instances which have been drawn to his attention of drugs handed over by patients coming into hospital not being signed in; and if he will state his Department's policy in this respect.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe do not collect this sort of information centrally, and no such instances have been drawn to our attention. Our policy remains that all new inpatients should be asked to bring with them to hospital all medicines or medicinal products they may be taking and staff should seek the permission of the patient or, if appropriate, his relatives, for the hospital to retain or destroy such drugs. The method of recording receipt of a patient's drugs is the responsibility of local health authorities.