HC Deb 11 July 1978 vol 953 cc473-5W
57. Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total number of additional beds created in private hospitals in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and how many pay beds were phased out of National Health Service hospitals during the same period.

Mr. Moyle

Beds in private hospitals and nursing homes in England registered under the Nursing Homes Act 1975 increased by 794 between December 1976

in class I employment have varied according to the amount of the individual's earnings and to other factors such as sex and whether the contributor is contracted out of the State scheme.

For the purpose of illustration, however, the following table shows the increases in weekly contributions* of a man who has been a full member of the State scheme and who at the time of each change in contributions is receiving average earnings.† In December 1967 his contribution was £1.23 on earnings of £21.55.

and December 1977. During the same period 937 pay bed authorisations were withdrawn from NHS hospitals.

64. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many hospital beds are in use and available currently as compared with the position in 1974.

Mr. Moyle

The figures for England are:

Average number of available beds Average number of occupied beds
June 1974 400,397 328,301
June 1977 380,747 315,804

The beds in use in 1977 were used more intensively than in 1974.

65. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the present position in regard to hospital waiting lists in the Rotherham area health authority.

Mr. Moyle

At 28th June 1978 the numbers awaiting admission, and, of those the numbers that had been waiting one year or more, were as follows:

Specialty Numbers awaiting admission Numbers waiting 1 year or more
General surgery 849 372
Gynaecology 438 36
Orthopaedics 475 193
Ophthalmology 403 194
Ear, nose and throat 120 27
Dental surgery 60 10
Total 2,345 832

69. Dr. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pay beds in the National Health Service in England and Wales, which have been designated for use as free beds, remained unused at 31st December 1977.

Mr. Moyle

I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for South East Essex (Sir B. Braise) on 24th February.—[Vol. 944, c.835–6.]

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