§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is concerned by the apparent under-usage of the amenity bed scheme; how he accounts for it; and whether he intends to take action to encourage a higher rate of usage of the facility.
§ Mr. MoyleI am aware of the low usage of the amenity bed scheme. Use of the scheme has been declining for many years but, like my predecessors, I am prepared to authorise use of any suitable accommodation at the request of the appropriate health authority.
Although no precise information is available to me, the main reasons for low usage are likely to be lack of demand from patients and ignorance on the part of patients that the facility exists. Because beds are not set aside solely for amenity use, low usage does not mean that beds remain empty.
I am considering whether I should ask health authorities to review their arrangements for ensuring that patients are made aware of the facility.