§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds are available for the young chronic sick in the Brent and Harrow area; what is the shortfall in terms of the correct allocation of such beds; how many pay beds are available in this area; how many of these are likely to be included in the first phase of pay-bed removal from the National Health Service; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenAs I said in my reply to my hon. Friend on 25th February [Vol. 906, c.260]—there are no beds in the Brent and Harrow area specifically set aside for the young chronic sick; but the area health authority has the use of facilities elsewhere. There are no national norms for such provision; the number to be provided is a matter for local determination in the light of local circumstances.
There are 31 authorised pay beds in the area. In the proposals which my right hon. Friend circulated for consultation on 27th February—a copy of which is in the Library—nine were included for phasing out in the first instance.