§ 12. Mr. Adam Hunterasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average number of beds per 10,000 head of population for all hospitals in Scotland and in the County of Fife, respectively.
Mr. Edward TaylorThe average number of beds per 10,000 head of population for all hospitals in Scotland is 121.4 and in the County of Fife, which is not a self-contained area for hospital services, 91.
§ Mr. HunterIs the Under-Secretary aware that the ratio of beds to population in Scotland is lower than it is in many parts of the United Kingdom and that 1652 the position is much worse in the provision of geriatric beds? Will he take steps to remedy the position in the County of Fife?
Mr. TaylorI fully accept what the hon. Gentleman said about the importance of geriatric schemes. He will be aware that schemes to provide geriatric and psycho-geriatric beds in Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes and West Fife are included in the hospital building programme in the period after April, 1972 which was announced in April, 1970.