§ 17. Dr. Vaughanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many National Health Service patients are cared for, on average, each month in private hospitals and nursing homes.
§ Mrs. CastleThere are approximately 2,000 admissions a month to establishments in England.
§ Dr. VaughanIs it the policy of the Secretary of State to continue to use beds in the private sector for National Health Service patients while closing down the private beds within the National Health Service?
§ Mrs. CastleCertainly it would be no part of my proposals for the private sector to terminate these arrangements if it was suitable both to the health authorities and to the private sector to continue them.