§ Mrs. Jegerasked the Secretary of State for the Social Services what is the number of authorised amenity beds in NHS hospitals at the present time compared with two years ago; what plans she has for increasing the number of amenity beds; and what advice she has given to health authorities about the criteria for allotment and the charges to be made.
§ Dr. OwenAbout 3,400 were available in England and Wales at 31st December 1974, compared with some 3,700 two years earlier. Charges were increased on 1st August 1975 to £3 and £1.50 a day for a bed in a single room or small ward respectively. Health authorities already know that amenity beds may be made available to any NHS patient who asks for one and who undertakes to pay these charges, so long as the bed is not needed by another patient for medical reasons. My right hon. Friend and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales are prepared to authorise any single room or other suitable accommodation for use as an amenity bed at the request of the appropriate health authority. My right hon. Friend is802W anxious to increase the availability and use of amenity beds.