HL Deb 09 January 1996 vol 568 c9WA
Baroness Masham of Ilton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure there are enough intensive care beds for children throughout the country, so that children who are critically or seriously ill do not have to travel long distances.

Baroness Cumberlege

Health authorities are responsible for placing contracts with hospitals to provide appropriate paediatric intensive care facilities to meet the needs of their resident populations. To assist, the Department of Health is collaborating with the Medical Research Council on research to identify the optimum size and distribution of a national network of paediatric intensive care units.