HC Deb 09 July 2001 vol 371 c337W
Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the number of acute beds in the Dudley group of hospitals which are unavailable to incoming patients as a result of being occupied by patients needing accommodation in a nursing home. [1805]

Yvette Cooper

At 3 July 2001, the number of acute beds being occupied by patients awaiting nursing home accommodation is 331.

Dudley health authority have recently identified £100,000 of non recurrent funds to alleviate immediate pressures in the short term. The local health and social services agencies are involved in discussions to seek solutions for medium to long-term.

Source

1 Dudley Group Hospitals National Health Service Trust

Ms Shipley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will investigate the care of medical patients on surgical wards in the Dudley group of hospitals. [1997]

Yvette Cooper

At 3 July 2001, the Dudley Group Hospitals National Health Service Trust has 31 medical patients on surgical wards, as a result of difficulties in discharging them to long-term care. The trust has confirmed that the patients selected to be cared for on surgical wards are those whose acute problems have been addressed. These patients require basic nursing care in terms of attention, medication, etc., which the trust's nurses are well equipped to provide.