Health Bill [HL]

I thank all Members of the Committee who have taken part in this debate for their support. I also thank the Minister, who is always helpful, for which I am very grateful. The Spinal Injuries Association recently received a letter from a consultant in Oldham who had had a spinal cord injured patient. He had contacted Middlesbrough to get the patient a specialised spinal bed, but he was told by Middlesbrough that it takes only patients from its own area. Recently, I was told that five tetraplegics are on respirators, waiting for beds in a spinal unit, in the intensive care unit of the Royal London Hospital. What is that if it is not blocking beds? On Sunday night, I spoke to the sister of a tetraplegic who has been in the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital for 12 weeks on a respirator, awaiting a bed in a spinal unit. He has already had a pressure sore. A few years ago, the Spinal Injuries Association did a survey of how patients get pressure sores. It found that most of them occur in intensive care units where everything is monitored, but basic skin is forgotten. How many more such patients in general hospitals across the country are getting into difficulties? How many paraplegics, who get just as many problems and get just as depressed, are in general hospitals? Some Members of the Committee may have read about the tragic case of the young rugby player mentioned in this week’s Sunday Times. He was treated incorrectly, which made a disaster of his life. My noble friend Lady Wilkins has referred to this young man. I am told that there is an upsurge in rugby accidents. Many sports, such as diving, riding and mountaineering, incur spinal cord injuries, as do driving and industrial injuries, as well as even falling down the stairs and getting stabbed or shot. A tetraplegic in the Royal London Hospital was shot in the neck. We cannot let this situation get worse. I am sure that this amendment will help. For many years, this problem has been talked about. The noble Lord, Lord Carlile of Berriew, who has put his name to this amendment, said that 20 years ago he was discussing the lack of treatment places for spinal cord injury patients. We must have a better, transparent system of admitting patients across the country. We cannot wait any longer. The noble Baroness mentioned the forum. Forums are very good for talking and discussion, but not for action. Sympathy is not enough. I will bring this amendment back on Report.