HC Deb 16 February 1994 vol 237 c864W
Mrs. Bridget Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will detail by region the(a) recommended and (b) actual number levels of paediatric intensive care beds; and if she will make a statement.

Dr. Mawhinney

There are no nationally agreed levels for paediatric intensive care bed provision. The British Paediatric Association has recently published a report "The Care of Critically Ill Children" which recommends that there should be one bed per 48,000 children. The report, which is available in the Library, shows the regional distribution of paediatric intensive care beds. The National Health Service Management Executive, in its executive letter of 27 January 1994 has asked district health authorities to review the current level of paediatric intensive care beds in order to develop in collaboration with other district health authorities and hospitals, a strategic plan for the purchasing of paediatric intensive care which takes into account local needs and resources. Copies of the letter are available in the Library.