From the archives: Overcrowded hospitals, 8 February, 1926

Published on 08/02/2013 00:00

IN HIS report of the Hospital Services (Scotland) Committee, presided over by Lord Mackenzie, it stated that overcrowding has come to be the normal condition of the large hospitals in Scotland.

There is particularly a shortage of beds on the medical side for sub-acute and chronic cases. The shortage is serious for incurable illnesses, and there is conclusive evidence of a shortage of maternity hospitals and sick children’s hospitals. It is estimated 3,600 more beds are required, and excluding 600 additional beds for maternity and children, which might be provided by the Local Authorities, the Committee consider there is a net shortage of voluntary hospital beds of 3,000. They recommend the transfer of the hospitals under the control of the Parish Councils to local health authorities, so the stigma attaching to treatment in Poor Law hospitals might be removed, and with a view to a properly co-ordinated service.

• archive.scotsman.com