§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current ratio of surgical beds to head of population(a) nationally, (b) in the northern region and (c) at Sunderland general hospital. [11137]
§ Mr. HoramThe information available centrally is shown.
Number England Annual average daily available beds 144,803 Population (mid 1994) 48,707,459 Ratio (beds per 10,000 population) 29.7 Northern Regional Health Authority Annual average daily available beds 10,184 Population (mid 1994) 2,927,525 Ratio (beds per 10,000 population) 34.8 City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Trust Annual average daily available beds 1,044 Population (mid 1994) n/a Ratio (beds per 10,000 population) n/a Data on bed availability are collected by broad ward classification. "Surgical beds" has therefore been interpreted as "General and acute" which comprises beds for general patients (including the elderly), the younger physically disabled, neonatal cots not in maternity wards and beds for the terminally ill or those receiving palliative care.