§ 53. Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans there are for adjusting the ratio of 2.5 acute hospital beds per thousand population; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA ratio of 2.8 acute beds per thousand population was suggested by the Department, as a guideline for use in planning new hospitals, in a circular issued in 1975. However, guidelines of this kind have never been intended to determine local provision exactly and I have no plans for any general adjustment of these figures. We expect health authorities to assess their local needs and the level of services that can be provided to meet them.