§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many geriatric beds were available per thousand elderly population in the Camberwell health district before the closure of 50 geriatric beds in 1978 and 1979; and how many are currently available per thousand elderly population in the district.
§ Mr. John PattenIn 1977 the average number of available geriatric beds per thousand population aged 65 and over in the King's — now Camberwell — health district was 7.9. In 1982 the corresponding figure for the Camberwell health authority was 6.5.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the outcome of the review of progress in the development of hospital services in London.
§ Mr. John PattenProgress in developing services for elderly people was assessed in the 1982 accountability reviews of the four Thames regional health authorities, and any follow-up action agreed with each RHA is recorded in the action plans, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
§ Ms. Harmanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what decisions have been taken in relation to the total of 50 geriatric beds temporarily closed in the Camberwell health district in 1978 and 1979 due to nurse recruitment problems and not yet re-opened;
(2) why no comprehensive plan has been prepared for the elderly living in the Camberwell health district; and when such a plan will be published;
(3) what progress has been made towards strengthening health services for the elderly in Camberwell health district.
§ Mr. John PattenI understand that Camberwell health authority has consulted on a forward programme which includes a preliminary statement of strategy for service for the elderly proposing an increase in geriatric bed provision from 212 to 246. The authority is taking comments received into account in preparing a detailed strategy for the elderly which it intends to publish as part of its overall strategy for consultation later this year.