§ 56. Mr. Luceasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what advice he has given to area health authorities about reducing the length of hospital bed occupancy.
§ Dr. OwenThe time a patient stays in hospital is a matter of clinical judgment. 123W The steady reduction over the years of the average length of stay—for example, the fall was at the rate of 2.6 per cent. per year between 1970 and 1973—has followed earlier ambulation after illness, advances in medical technology and increasing effectiveness of the community services. Apart from such clinical factors, effective management of the use of hospital beds can contribute appreciably to shorter durations of stay and advice on this aspect has been frequently offered to health authorities. Their attention has been drawn to such factors as the desirability of planned admission and discharge of patients, and the presentation of clear and simple statistical information to assist consultants and others concerned in the use of hospital beds.