First Aid.

Oral Answers to Questions — Civil Defence. – in the House of Commons at on 10 July 1940.

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Photo of Mr Arthur Hayday Mr Arthur Hayday , Nottingham West

asked the Minister of Health to what extent medical officers of health have received instructions as to first-aid treatment, to be issued at their discretion, involving a minor but essential surgical operation in cases of precipitate births in air-raid shelters during an air raid; will those persons who have to carry out such first aid, considering that a trained nurse is unlikely to be available at an air-raid shelter, do so without first seeing how it should be properly carried out at an actual confinement; and will he encourage such facilities being given where proper arrangements can be made?

Photo of Dame Florence Horsbrugh Dame Florence Horsbrugh , Dundee

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of instructions which have been issued to medical officers of health for communication at their discretion to persons in charge of air-raid shelters. My right hon. Friend is advised that the simple first-aid treatment described in the instructions is the most that could be entrusted with safety to untrained persons. My right hon. Friend is further advised that it would be most undesirable for facilities to be provided for untrained persons to attend confinements for purposes of instruction. Such persons might regard themselves as competent to deal with situations which demand professional attention and be led to take measures which might be not only harmful, but actually dangerous to life.

Photo of Mr Arthur Hayday Mr Arthur Hayday , Nottingham West

Is it not that part of the operation which should be demonstrated in suitable cases, and is not demonstration much better than instruction? Is the hon. Lady also aware that I have been fortunate enough to see a copy of these instructions which have been sent out, and that this request has arisen in a locality where there was a desire that this process should be permitted in the case of V.A.D. married women, and that it would be more impressive and helpful than a list of instructions?

Photo of Dame Florence Horsbrugh Dame Florence Horsbrugh , Dundee

My right hon. Friend is advised that it would be considered most dangerous to give instruction of this kind, which might lead people, although they might wish to be helpful, to believe that they were skilled midwives. My right hon. Friend feels that the leaflet of instructions, explained in suitable terms, is the safest way of dealing with the matter.

Photo of Mr Arthur Hayday Mr Arthur Hayday , Nottingham West

I am sure that the Department will realise that there is greater danger in leaving it to typed instructions than to actual practice?