§ Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those regional health authorities that have applied to increase the number of pay beds in their regions.
§ Dr. VaughanIt is for area health authorities and boards of governors to apply for changes in numbers of pay beds. Since the issue of circular HC(80)10 applications for an increase in the number of authorised pay beds have been received from the following authorities:
- Bury AHA
- Cheshire AHA
- Sandwell AHA
- Tameside AHA
A further 17 authorities have applied for authorisation of reserve pay beds—usually two extra beds or 10 per cent. of the existing number—for use when private patients need to be admitted as emergencies and all existing pay beds are occupied, as set out in paragraph 24 of the circular.