asked the Minister for Health if he will state, in respect of the latest 12 month period for which figures are available, the number of cases of poisoning reported; the percentage increase over the previous year; the number of cases which related to children and adults respectively; the commonest source of poisoning; and if he is satisfied with the present facilities for treating such cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cases of Poisoning.
9.
There were 1,924 cases of poisoning reported to the Poisons Information Centre, Jervis Street Hospital, during 1970, which represented an increase of 20 per cent over the previous year. A total of 1,165 of these cases related to children and 454 related to adults. The majority of these cases arose from medicines kept in households.
No representations have been made to me which would suggest that the present arrangements for treatment are unsatisfactory.
Would the Minister consider some form of publicity to ensure that this figure is reduced by this time next year?
I think in the autumn of this year part of our preventative campaign will consist of a campaign for a period dealing with accidents in the home. Great emphasis will be placed on the danger of leaving medicine bottles around the contents of which can be taken by children; and, more important, emphasis will be placed on the dangers of medicine bottles with prescription numbers only on them. In many cases people forget what is in the bottle and part of the preventative campaign next autumn will deal with this aspect.
Is the Minister referring to the campaign launched in the autumn of last year?
No, I think this will be the first of its kind.
Can the Minister say if any research has been carried out which would indicate that in certain conditions and for psychological reasons people are accident-prone? This condition can be independent of whether unlabelled bottles are left around. Has the Minister had any research carried out on this aspect?
The Deputy really defeats me. I simply do not know about accident-proneness.
May I ask the Minister if he has a breakdown of figures in connection with the incidence of poison?
No, I have not.
Can the Minister obtain this data for me?
If the Deputy puts down a question I will look into the matter.
I am calling Question No. 10.