§ 72. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Health what percentage of private hospital beds are unoccupied; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce the waiting list for beds under the National Health Service Acts.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithDuring the period July-December, 1953, 32.3 per cent. of pay-beds were unoccupied. The number of free hospital beds has been increasing steadily; further increases are planned, and hospital authorities are constantly endeavouring to secure the more efficient use of existing beds.
§ 73. Mr. Harold Daviesasked the Minister of Health how many patients are waiting for hospital beds in the Leek Urban and Leek Rural District.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithExact figures are not available as separate waiting lists for local authority areas are not kept. About 154 patients from the Leek Urban and Rural District Council areas are awaiting admission to the hospitals which normally serve these areas.