Mr. Mark Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the number of in-patients at Winterton Hospital, Sedgefield, County Durham and the level of physical overcrowding as compared with recommended standards.
§ Dr. OwenIn March 1974 there were 1,321 in-patients of whom 53 were temporarily on leave. A recent assessment which will be considered by the regional health authority indicates that a bed complement of 1,072 would be reasonable and I understand that consideration is currently being given to ways of reducing the numbers of in-patients in the hospital.
My Department has not issued recommended space standards but has suggested minimum tolerable standards, which are currently met at Winterton.