§ 31. Mr. Boydenasked the Minister of Health in how many general hospitals in England and Wales rehabilitation facilities are inadequate; and in how many cases the inadequacies are due to unsatisfactory buildings or to shortages of physiotherapists, remedial gymnasts and similar trained staff, or to both.
Mr. BraiseI am aware that there are hospitals where increase of staff or improvement of accommodation or both are desirable. but the hon. Member's Question does not admit of a precise answer.
§ Mr. BoydenWill the Parliamentary Secretary give us some indication of the size of the problem and say whether it would be possible to take temporary measures to increase staff and, in other cases, whether he could use more staff by increasing the buildings?
§ Mr. BraineThere can be no exact criterion for adequate facilities. The level of services depends not only on building and staff resources but on their efficient direction. The matter is rather unsuitable for statistical presentation. The real answer to the hon. Gentleman is that it is for the boards to assess the need for rehabilitation services, and to make their allocations accordingly.