§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will introduce free dental treatment for all people over 75 years of age. [157157]
§ Mr. HuttonWe have no plans to introduce free dental treatment for all people over 75 years of age; we believe that it is a better use of limited resources to base help with charges for NHS dentistry on the individual's ability to pay, so ensuring help is focused on those who need it most. Pensioners who get Income Support pay nothing for their dental treatment and under the National Health Service low income scheme some are entitled to free treatment, while others, who are not entitled to full remission of charges, can get partial help.
Average daily number of available beds in wards open overnight, NHS trusts within Northumberland health authority, 1997–98 to 1999–2000 1997–98 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust 230 211 199 Northgate and Prudhoe NHS Trust 652 534 476 Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust — 1,392 1,379 North Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust 523 — — Cheviot and Wansbeck NHS Trust 659 — — Northumberland Community Health NHS Trust 19 — — Northumberland health authority area 2,083 2,137 2,054 Source:
DH form KHO3
§ Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the change in the number of beds in Northumberland district health authority in each year since 1997. [157295]
Average daily number of available beds in wards open overnight, NHS trusts within Northumberland health authority 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust 230 211 199 Northgate and Prudhoe NHS Trust 652 534 476 Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust — 1,392 1,379 North Tyneside Healthcare NHS Trust 523 — — Cheviot and Wansbeck NHS Trust 659 — — Northumberland Community Health NHS Trust 19 — — Northumberland health authority area 2,083 2,137 2,054 Change in number of beds from previous year +54 -83 Source:
DH form KHO3