§ Q12. Dr. Evan HarrisTo ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the number of NHS beds in Oxfordshire. [4231]
§ The Prime MinisterIn August 2001, an assessment made in accordance with the recommendations of the National Beds Inquiry showed that Oxfordshire needed a further 151 beds to reach its recommended number. A more detailed assessment process is now being developed to ensure that the right capacity exists to meet the needs of patients in Oxfordshire. Action is already being taken to address the capacity problem, and current plans include an increase of 48 surgical beds at the John Radcliffe Hospital by spring 2003 and an increase of 18 beds in Bicester by autumn 2004.