HC Deb 23 June 1975 vol 894 c69W
Mr. George Rodgers

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of hospital geriatric accommodation is available per head of population in (a) the Chorley constituency, (b) the North-West Region and (c) the United Kingdom, respectively.

Dr. Owen

The average available geriatric beds per 1,000 population aged 65 and over was, in 1974, 7.46 in Preston Health District; 7.27 in Lancashire Area Health Authority; 8.66 in North-Western Region; and, in 1973, 8.83 in England.

Figures for the United Kingdom and for the Chorley constituency are not readily available.

Mr. Ward

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what proportion of geriatric beds is currently provided in general hospitals with regular access to the full range of acute hospital diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

Dr. Owen

Recent information indicates that less than half of all health districts have 30 per cent. or more, and less than a third have up to 30 per cent. of their geriatric bed requirements in such hospitals. Nearly one-fifth have no geriatric beds in general hospitals.