HC Deb 30 March 2001 vol 365 cc798-9W
Mr. Harvey

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were available in(a) Great Britain and (b) each NHS trust in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) each year from 1992 to the latest date for which figures are available. [149433]

Mr. Denham

The average daily number of available beds in England for 1979 and 1990–91 to 1999–2000 are given in the table. The first National Health Service trusts were established in 1991–92. Prior to this, information on bed numbers was collected from district health authorities and not individual units. Detailed information on the average daily number of beds in England is published annually in "Bed Availability and Occupancy, England", copies of which are available in the Library. Questions for Scotland and Wales are matters for the devolved administrations.

Average daily number of available beds in wards open overnight, all specialties, England, 1979 and 1990–91 to 1999–2000
Total beds
1979 361,670
1990–91 255,479
1991–92 242,677
1992–93 232,201
1993–94 219,476
1994–95 211,812
1995–96 206,136
1996–97 198,848
1997–98 193,625
1998–99 190,006
1999–2000 186,290

Source

Department of Health form KH03, SH3

Latest figures collected on 1 December 2000 show an increase of general and acute beds. The NHS Plan will provide 7,000 extra beds nationally by 2004, including 2,100 on general and acute wards. Within this expanded bedstock, there will also be a 30 per cent. increase in adult critical care beds over the next three years.