HC Deb 27 May 1971 vol 818 c215W
38. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the criteria adopted by his Department for determining the areas in and around Greater London used to calculate the future pattern of demand for hospital facilities, including maternity facilities of all types.

Sir K. Joseph

Hospital planning areas are based on the need to provide comprehensive hospital facilities within reasonable distance of patients' homes. Special considerations apply to areas containing one or more teaching hospitals because these hospitals tend to serve a smaller local area than does a non-teaching hospital of equal size.