HC Deb 24 March 1977 vol 928 cc655-6W
Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the average percentage increase in the unit cost of providing one bed for one week in a National Health Service long-stay hospital during 1976–77.

Mr. Ennals

Costing information for 1976–77 will not be available until after the close of the 1976–77 financial year. In 1975–76 the average cost per week was £89.60.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what has been the percentage increase in the average cost per out-patient attendance at National Health Service hospitals since 1969.

Mr. Ennals

The average cost of an out-patient attendance in acute hospitals in England with more than 100 beds was £2.43 in 1968–69 and £9.20 in 1975–76, the latest year for which costs are available—an increase of 278 per cent.