§ 45. Mr. H. Hyndasked the Minister of Health how many private beds are now available in London hospitals and nursing homes, as compared with the number before 1939 and before the creation of the National Health Service.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithAt 31st December, 1957, 2,255 beds were available under Sections 4 and 5 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, in the Metropolitan Police District. I understand that there were 2,288 beds classed as private beds in the same hospitals shortly before the inception of the National Health Service, but as there was then no accepted definition of the term "private", the figures are not strictly comparable. I regret that information for 1939 and for institutions outside the National Health Service is not available.
§ Sir G. NicholsonCan my right hon. and learned Friend tell the House what steps are being taken to see that these beds are being fully used? Is it not a fact that they are not being used as much as they should be?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, Sir. I do not think, as a generalisation, that that is right. As my hon. Friend knows, there is a proviso to Section 5 (1) of the Act which makes these beds available for cases requiring urgent medical attention. 674 I think that between those two uses they are kept pretty well occupied.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman assure us that full use is being made of these beds, because the last figures suggested that perhaps almost as much as one-quarter or one-third of them were not in use?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithThere is not 100 per cent. occupancy. There never would be, as the hon. Member, with his experience, will appreciate. As he knows, these beds are used for their primary purpose and can also be used for the purpose to which I have just referred. Taking those two things together, there is a reasonable use of these beds, but I will certainly look at the matter, in answer to the hon. Member's request and that of my hon. Friend, to see whether anything can or should be done to promote the occupancy rate.