§ 49. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Minister of Health to what extent the provision of private beds in the general hospitals in North-East Essex reflects the high percentage of retired people within the area, or to what extent they are provided on a regional or national formula which does not reflect local need.
§ Mr. LoughlinThere are 21 such beds; the number is kept under review in the light of local conditions, and no specific formula is applied.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIs the Minister concerned about the growing number of elderly awaiting admission to hospital? What are the Government doing over and above what was done by the last Conservative Government to deal with this problem?
§ Mr. LoughlinI hardly see how the fact that elderly people are awaiting admission to hospital is related to pay beds. It may well be that many of the elderly to whom the hon. Member has referred are pensioners. I should have thought it more desirable that they should not be forced to pay for beds.