54. Dr. Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Health what is the average length of time spent in hospital by in-patients occupying acute general beds at the last convenient date; and how this compares with the situation 10 years ago.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonThe average length of stay in acute general beds has fallen from 18.2 days in 1955 to 12.7 days in 1965.
Dr. DunwoodyWould not my right hon. Friend agree that this is a quite outstanding example of increased productivity that gives the answer to the many people who inaccurately suggest that over the years the standards of treatment in the National Health Service have deteriorated?
§ Mr. RobinsonI agree that this is a remarkable statistic, and I feel that it fully bears out the interpretation put on it by my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinWould not the right hon. Gentleman also agree that this is a remarkable tribute to the researchers and others in the drug industry to whom a great deal of the credit needs to be given?
§ Mr. RobinsonI agree that advances in medical techniques, including chemotherapeutic techniques, have contributed 31 to this, but that is only one of a number of factors.
§ Mr. BraineWould the Minister agree that this is remarkable and beneficial to the patients as a whole only if it has been paralleled by a development of local authority services? Is he satisfied that the local authority services in the area in question can cope with the people discharged early from hospital?
§ Mr. RobinsonThis is a general question; there is no "area in question". I am satisfied that community services have expanded considerably and, in general, are quite capable of handling the additional work which arises from the earlier discharge of patients.