HC Deb 27 April 1977 vol 930 cc343-4W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the staff-patient ratio in geriatric wards in the hospitals within the Macclesfield constituency.

Mr. Moyle

The nurse staff-patient ratios are as follows:

West Park Hospital 1: 1.2
Moss Lane Hospital 1: 1.4
West Heath Hospital 1: 1.2

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds are reserved for geriatric patients in the area covered by the Macclesfield constituency.

Mr. Moyle

There are 109 beds allocated in this area for geriatric patients—41 at West Park Hospital, 24 at Moss Lane and 44 at West Heath. In addition, patients from the Alderley Edge area of the constituency are referred to Cranford Lodge Hospital, Knutsford, where there are 54 geriatric beds for patients from the Macclesfield health district.

and, when possible, improving the value of the basic rates of benefit. To allow for the rise in prices between September 1971, when the allowance was introduced, and March 1977, the latest date for which a figure is available, the allowance would have to be raised to 55p.