HC Deb 02 March 1959 vol 601 cc17-8
23. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Health if he will give the percentage of beds reserved for patients who pay for both accommodation and treatment in the hospitals under his direction in each of the last five years; and whether the percentage of empty places in such beds was greater or less than in those not so reserved.

Mr. Walker-Smith

The proportion of hospital beds designated for private patients in each of the last five years for which figures are available slightly exceeds 1 per cent. of the whole; the percentage of empty places in such beds was greater than in others.

Mr. Hastings

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is an idea that instead of these pay-beds being used as ordinary beds they are being kept vacant in many cases waiting for paying patients? Is there any evidence that this is the case, or is it not so?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I have no evidence that that is the case. As the hon. Gentleman knows, private beds are available for Health Service patients who urgently require accommodation on medical grounds and for whom no other suitable accommodation is available. That is provided for in Section 5 of the National Health Service Act, and I have no reason to suppose that it is not observed.

Mr. Hastings

Must these cases be urgent when there is a large waiting list? Although cases are not urgent, could they not be accommodated in these pay-beds?

Mr. Walker-Smith

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the language of the Act, which is: any patient who urgently needs that accommodation on medical grounds We are all bound by the language of the statute.