§ 9. Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what increase there has been in the emergency admissions for elderly patients over the last two years; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleBetween 1991–92 and 1992–93, there was a 6.9 per cent. increase in the number of non-elective admissions of patients aged 65 and over.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Minister aware that the reason for that increase in admissions is the fact that more and more admissions are turned down by hospitals that are trying to operate in the market forces world of medicine which the Government have introduced? The only way in which some general practitioners can gain admission for elderly people is to dial 999 after the patients have already been turned down by hospitals.
§ Mr. SackvilleI am well aware that there have been complaints from general practitioners in the hon. Gentleman's district about Tickhill Road hospital. I am also aware that Doncaster Royal and Montagu are taking steps to ensure that all elderly patients are admitted locally. If the hon. Gentleman thinks, as do many other Labour Members, that provision can be measured by the number of beds, and if he ignores advances in day surgery and medicine and other improvements which mean that more people can be better treated in fewer beds, he knows nothing about what is happening in the health service.
§ Ms LynneDoes the Minister accept that a crisis is looming for elderly patients due to the closure of many geriatric beds and hospitals and the underfunding of community care? Does he accept that we could see a number of elderly patients on the streets in the same way as we have seen mental health patients on the streets?
§ Mr. SackvilleMay I correct the hon. Lady—community care is extremely generously funded. If there are insufficient places for elderly people, the hon. Lady should address her remarks to the provider, the local social services.