§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospices for the dying are administered by the National Health Service; how many beds are provided; and what plans the Government have for the future.
§ Mr. MoyleThere are 10 hospices within the National Health Service in Great Britain, providing a total of about 250 beds; they include the continuing care units built by the National Society for Cancer Relief and administered by health authorities. About 20 more hospices are at various stages of planning and development, though not all of these are within the NHS. It is, of course, for health authorities to determine what provision is needed locally.