§ Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps she is taking to prevent the decline of geriatric beds to 5.9 per 1,000 in 1981 in the Colchester Hospital District.
§ Dr. OwenThe regional and area health authorities' present plans provide for 54 geriatric assessment and rehabilitation beds to be included in the first phase of the new district general hospital at Colchester. An additional 84 geriatric beds are planned in Clacton and Harwich. These plans would also enable acute beds in existing hospitals to be reallocated for geriatric purposes so that the requirement for 10 geriatric beds per 1,000 may be met in 1981.
The health authorities would consult the Community Health Council for the 418W Colchester Health District on these developments.
§ Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the present number of geriatric beds available for the Colchester Hospital District; and what is the number per 1,000 of population, so as to contrast this with the national goal of 10 beds per 1,000.
§ Dr. Owen373 beds, which represent 8.3 beds per 1,000 population over the age of 65. In addition, two day hospitals, which will relieve the pressure to some extent, have been provided at St. Mary's Hospital, Colchester and at Clacton and District Hospital.