§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of running a ward of 14 staffed beds in a metropolitan area; and what saving would be effected by closure.
§ Mr. MoyleThe average annual cost of servicing 14 staffed beds in large acute hospitals in the four Thames regions during the financial year ended 31st March 1976, the latest for which figures are available, was approximately £140,000; the cost at individual hospitals in the Metropolitan area ranged from around £100,000 to around £220,000. Essential maintenance to the fabric of the buildings would probably amount to some 10 per cent. of the total cost; the extent to which other elements of cost could be saved by closure would depend upon local circumstances, including the capacity to redeploy resources.