HC Deb 23 July 1974 vol 877 cc420-1W
Mr. Woof

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average number of hospital beds provided annually for the years between 1966 and 1973.

Dr. Owen

The average daily number of available beds in the National Health Service in England in the years 1966 to 1973 was as follows:

Year Number
1966 434,846
1967 434,378
1968 432,140
1969 428,737
1970 423,621
1971 419,612
1972 412,664
1973 403,526

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds per thousand population are available as an average in the United Kingdom and in the South Yorkshire area, respectively.

Dr. Owen

In 1973 the average number of hospital beds per 1,000 population was: England, 8.69; Wales, 9.11; South Yorkshire, 7.41.

Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are available for maternity, geriatric and mentally sick cases in the South Yorkshire area; and how this provision compares with the national opposition in terms of hospital beds per thousand population.

Dr. Owen

On average, 734, 1,685 and 1,633 beds respectively, representing 0.56, 1.28 and 1.24 beds per 1,000 population in the South Yorkshire area compared with a national average of 0.47, 1.21 and 2.34.