§ 101. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to stop the rise in the cost of keeping and treating patients in hospitals, in view of the fact that the average weekly cost rose last year by 4½ per cent. in London and 8 per cent. in the provinces.
160W
§ Mr. Iain MacleodI think my hon. Friend has in mind the average weekly costs of maintaining an in-patient in London and provincial general teaching hospitals. The percentage increases in 1952–53 at these hospitals over the previous year were, in fact, respectively 5⅓ per cent. and 5 per cent. These were due mainly to increased salaries and wages and higher costs generally. I am constantly urging upon all concerned, in every way I can, the need for achieving maximum economy without detriment to the services provided.
§ 103. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Health the total weekly cost of keeping and treating a patient in hospital.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe total weekly cost of keeping and treating a patient in hospital varies according to the type of hospital. National averages for the main types of hospitals for the year ended 31st March, 1953, are shown in the following table and represent the average net cost after adjustment for outpatient attendances.
1. Hospitals administered by hospital management committees:—
Wholly General:— £ s. d. 1–50 beds 13 13 5 51–100 beds 15 7 5 101–300 beds 15 10 6 301–900 beds 15 12 1 Over 900 beds 11 8 11 All hospitals 15 4 9 Mainly General 13 4 7 Mainly Chronic 7 12 10 Chronic 6 11 6 Convalescent 7 11 4 Isolation 17 0 0 Maternity 17 13 1 Mental 4 8 6 Mental Deficiency 4 4 4 Orthopaedic 11 13 0 Tuberculosis 9 19 5 Tuberculosis and Isolation 13 5 7 Children (general) 13 17 2 Ear, Nose and Throat 14 6 4 Eye 12 9 3 Eye and Ear, Nose and Throat 15 5 1
2. Hospitals administered by boards of governors of teaching hospitals:— Wholly General:— £ s. d. London 24 18 8 Provinces 18 13 9