§ Q16. Dr. HarrisTo ask the Prime Minister what is his policy on providing NHS beds to patients in Oxfordshire. [108951]
§ The Prime MinisterIt is the responsibility of individual health authorities to determine the most appropriate balance of health services locally, including the range and number of beds available to the local community.
The hon. Member will be aware that the report of the Government's National Beds Inquiry was published for consultation last week. The facts revealed by the report support our plans to build a new bridge of NHS care for older people between hospital and home and will support the first national strategy for providing NHS beds in 30 years.
The conclusions of the report underline the need for us to consider a variety of forms of care, from acute to community provision, depending on the circumstances. Some services will be provided in a large hospital, some in community hospitals and some will be via improved care services in the home.