Report from the Select Committee on Nursing Homes (Registration).

  • Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons. Select Committee on Nursing Homes (Registration)
Date:
1926
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report from the Select Committee on Nursing Homes (Registration). Source: Wellcome Collection.

    167/284 (page 141)
    SELECT COMMITTEE ON NURSING HOMES (REGISTRATION). 14] 19 May, 1926.] - Dre. F. N. Kay MENzIgs. [ Continued. bathrooms very frequently; and, there- is to be exempt. Why was that fore, generally speaking, one might say that the equipment which ought to have been provided under such conditions was not forthcoming. 2366. Did any evidence come out as to whether the nurses, or so-called nurses, there were trained nurses or not; did you get any particular evidence upon that point; did they ever get any trained nurses in these Lying-in Homes?—No, not in that class. 9367. When you say that the nursing was not a suitable sort of nursing, you mean, .I suppose, that they were un- trained nurses?—Yes, quite. 2368. Did the enquiry lead to the dis- covery of any other kind of abuse, be- sides those you have mentioned?—I daresay one might mention a number of small matters; ‘but I think really those are the main points. 2369. Were they crowded, for instance? —Yes, there was a certain amount of overcrowding. 2370. Then the Council applied for its powers in 1915, and what was the nature of the powers that were asked for? I know they are set out in your Paper, but I have to ask you these questions in order to get it on the note?—I under- stand, Sir. I will just go to paragraph 5 of my evidence, and say that the powers that were asked for are summarised there. They included, first of all, of course, a definition of a lying-in home; Con- ditions of registration; Powers of entry and inspection; Penalties for offences; Exemptions; Power of delegation to Boough Councils ; and Right of appeal to the Magistrate. Now Sir, uf there are any points in connection with those seven subjects that I can amplify, I shall be glad to do it. I do not know whether the Committee have before them a copy of a document that was issued by the Council in 1916, which sets out shortly what those powers are? There is a similar document in regard to the later Act if the Committee have got those two documents? 9371. Yes; we have had those cir- culated 2—If one goes through them, one could follow it. 9372.. “Gk N.KM. 1.’ ?—That is. .the one. For instance, taking No. 1, the definition of a lying-in home, that is set out in paragraph 2. 2373. One question on that. In “ (e)”’ you say that a lying-in home carried on by a duly registered medical practitioner exemption made?—Well, Sir, I think it was pressed very much upon the Com- mittee of Parliament at the time by the Medical Profession that there should be an exemption made in cases where the Council, as the authority for administer- ing these powers, were satisfied that the conditions were conditions that would be satisfactory; and perhaps I might mention in that connec- tion that as a result of the experience of the last ten years, there are only nine lying-in homes carried on in London by medical practitioners which are exempt under the certificate. I will put this paper in, if the Committee desire it, merely in order to show that the class of place which is exempt is a class of place that nobody would hesitate to exempt because the conditions there are obviously highly satisfactory. May I just mention one as an example? 2574, YesP—The Harold Finck Private Hospital, 17 Park Lane; the name of the practitioner conducting the Home is Sir Douglas A. Shields. I think one might assume that an institution of that sort is hardly likely to be one that would require supervision by a public authority. There are a number of others. Harley House Nursing Home, 4 Courtfield Gardens; 5 Bentinck Street, Cavendish Square. I put this in so that the Com- mittee can see it. (Handing in a document). 2375. I do not know that the fact that they have good addresses is a sufficient guarantee?—There is also the name of the practitioner conducting the Home, and also the certificate of two indepen- dent medical practitioners. 2376. What is your own view about that ?—I think it is eminently reasonable. 2377. Supposing we decide, or recom- mend from this Committee that nursing homes as quite distinct from ITying-in homes should be registered, is it your opinion that the same exemption should apply ?—Yes. 2378. Then after that, the Council asked for further powers in 1920, I think ?>—Yes, 1920. 2379. What was the reason why they were not satisfied with the existing state of thingsP—As a result of practical experience of the administration of the Act, it was found that there were certain directions in. which the Act of 1915 was hardly satisfactory. I think one of the best examples is the one referred to in