§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the availability of 378W hospital beds for geriatric and psycho-geriatric patients in Scotland; and if he will increase the provision for such patients to avoid the use of acute beds.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe report of the Scottish Health Services Planning Council entitled "Scottish Health Priorities for the Eighties (SHAPE)" recommended the adoption of a criterion of 40 beds per 1,000 population aged 75 or over in measuring a requirement for geriatric beds in Scotland. Using this measure, the 1980 target requirement for geriatric beds in 1980 was 10,650. The actual number provided was 10,600, although the distribution of these beds over Scotland was not even. I recognise that the number of people over 75 is expected to rise rapidly in this decade, and that a substantial increase in provision is required if the needs of these elderly people are to be met.
It is more difficult to estimate the needs of the elderly with mental disability, but the SHAPE report recognised a considerable demand for new and replacement psycho-geriatric beds, as well as for increased day facilities, residential facilities and community support.
It is for health boards to decide on priorities within the total resources available to them, and in the light of their own local circumstances.