HC Deb 12 December 1972 vol 848 cc84-6W
Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how many nurses each hospital within the East Cheshire Hospital Management Committee area is under establishment.

Mr. Alison

The practice of the Manchester Regional Hospital Board is to fix what it regards as optimum establishments and to determine each year the percentage of these for which finance can be provided; for the current year this is 84 per cent. of optimum establishments. On 30th September 1972 the nurses in post in the East Cheshire Group amounted to 79 per cent. of optimum establishment although I understand there has since been some improvement. The position in the various hospitals on 30th September was as follows:

Hospital Optimum Establishment In Post, 30th September 1972
Parkside Hospital, Macclesfield 648.5 4.12
Macclesfield Hospital, West Park 178.5 201
Macclesfield Hospital Infirmary 125 101
Moss Lane Hospital, Macclesfield 40 37
War Memorial Hospital, Congleton 49 39
West Heath Hospital, Congleton 35.5 39
Alderley Edge Cottage Hospital 17 14
Collar House, Prestbury 27.5 20

Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many beds are available for short-term geriatric patients per 1,000 people in the area covered by the East Cheshire Hospital Management Committee;

(2) how many beds are available for geriatric patients per 1,000 people in the area covered by the East Cheshire Hospital Management Committee.

Mr. Alison

There are nearly 7.0 geriatric beds available per 1,000 elderly population of which nearly 2.5 are used for short-term assessment and initial treatment.

Mr. Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many old people in the area covered by the East Cheshire Hospital Management Committee on the A waiting list for geriatric beds have been waiting for more than six months, 12 months, and 18 months, respectively;

(2) how many old people in the area covered by the East Cheshire Hospital Management Committee on the accelerated admission list for geriatric beds have been awaiting admission for more than six months, 12 months and 18 months, respectively.

Mr. Alison

There is only one list of people waiting for admission to geriatric beds; no one has been waiting more than six months.