§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average medical bed occupancy rate in hospitals in Scotland; and how this compares with the medical bed occupancy rate at Falkirk Royal Infirmary.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellFor the year ending 30th September 1972 the average medical bed occupancy rate in hospitals in Scotland for the medical specialties available in the Falkirk Royal Infirmary was 84.1 per cent. The figure for Falkirk Royal Infirmary for the same year was 88.7 per cent.
§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average waiting time for surgical operations in hospitals in Scotland; and how this compares with the waiting time for operations in Falkirk Royal Infirmary.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe information is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost to public funds.
§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report on the shortage of surgical beds at Falkirk Royal Infirmary and the pressure on the hospital arising from the growth of the population in the area served by the hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellI do not consider it necessary to call for a special report on the shortage of surgical beds at Falkirk, although I am aware that they are under pressure. The new out-patient department will shortly come into operation and the regional hospital board has indicated that part of the accommodation which will be vacated by the existing outpatient department will be used to increase the number of surgical beds.
§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what provisions he proposes 185W to make to meet the need for additional geriatric beds in the Falkirk area.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellWhile there is an under-provision of geriatric beds for Falkirk and the surrounding area on the current planning basis, the number of beds for Falkirk and Stirling area as a whole is in excess of the numbers required. The regional board is considering the scope for rationalising the specialties in the area with a view to providing additional beds for geriatric patients in the Falkirk area.
§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average surgical bed occupancy rate in hospitals in Scotland; and how this compares with the surgical bed occupancy rate at Falkirk Royal Infirmary.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellFor the year ending 30th September 1972, the average surgical bed occupancy rate in hospitals in Scotland for the surgical specialties available in Falkirk Royal Infirmary was 74.2 per cent. The figure for Falkirk Royal Infirmary for the same year was 83.0 per cent.