§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the total number of hospital beds available in Scotland for geriatric cases on 31st March 1975; how many patients were then on waiting lists; and what effects on availability of places Government expenditure cuts are expected to have.
§ Mr. MillanThe average number of staffed geriatric hospital beds in Scotland was 9,367 during the quarter ending 31st March 1975. On that date 2,289 patients were on waiting lists. As indicated in "The Health Service in Scotland—The Way Ahead", the additional resources which are being provided for the health service in the next four years will make it possible to improve hospital and community services for the elderly.