HC Deb 05 April 1951 vol 486 c373
40. Miss Ward

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken to increase the beds for the chronic sick in the Northern Region.

Mr. Blenkinsop

A 30-bed unit has been opened, and the work on providing a further unit of 20 beds is almost finished.

Miss Ward

In view of the importance of providing beds for the chronic sick, can the Parliamentary Secretary say why there are now fewer beds for the chronic sick in the Northern Region than there were before the National Health Service Act came into operation?

Mr. Blenkinsop

I do not think that that is altogether true. We are quite satisfied that a great deal more can be done to make better use of existing bed accommodation, even without increasing the number of beds.

Mr. Vane

Is there any difference between a bed and a "bed unit"?

Miss Ward

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why, when an order was obtained for a chronic sick woman to be taken into hospital quite recently in the Northern Region, there was not a bed available? Does he think that that is a good thing?

Mr. Blenkinsop

No, Sir, we do not think it is a good thing. But, to keep the question in balance, we must realise that there were also difficulties of this kind before the National Health Service Act, difficulties we are trying to overcome.