§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied that there is adequate provision in the hospitals within the Wessex Region for the nursing of elderly people who are suddenly taken ill but who are not regarded as chronic cases.
§ Dr. OwenI am aware that there is pressure on hospital beds in parts of the Wessex Region caused by the disproportionate number of elderly people in the local population. It is for the Wessex Regional Health Authority to assess the priority to be given to the needs of this category of patient as part of the general strategic view that it has been asked to undertake and in the light of the fact that its revenue growth rate for 1976–77 is one of the highest of those for any of the 14 regions.