§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what consideration has been given to the impact on continuity of patient care of the proposed closure of 25 acute psychiatric beds at weekends within the North Devon district hospital; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what are the projected savings resulting from the proposed closure of 25 acute psychiatric beds at weekends with the North Devon district hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanNo decision on this management option has been taken by the North Devon health authority.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are to introduce five-day-aweek wards similar to those proposed at the North Devon district hospital in other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand that the possibility of converting one or two wards in the North Devon district 417W hospital to a five-day week is an option that is being examined, but on which no management view has yet been taken. Local bed management is a matter for individual health authorities.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what representations he has received concerning the legality of charges imposed on patients since 1 May 1989 by North Devoon health authority for hospital transportation to take patients to hospital for treatment; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received concerning the legality of car parking charges to be imposed at the North Devon district hospital; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanNone. It is for health authorities to take appropriate legal and other professional advice on local management decisions. However, no charge is made for the transportation of patients to hospital if it has been prescribed by a doctor as clinically necessary.