HC Deb 20 July 1978 vol 954 cc409-10W
Mr. Alexander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the income from pay beds in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Mr. Harry Ewing

For the latest five years for which statistics are available the information is:

1972–73 £477,465
1973–74 £527,447
1974–75 £536,749
1975–76 £449,365
1976–77 £481,128

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many beds were available in National Health Service hospitals in Scotland in each of the last five years.

Mr. Harry Ewing

The average numbers of available staffed beds in NHS hospitals in Scotland in each of the last five years were as follows:

To 30th September 1973 62,121
To 30th September 1974 61,850
To 30th September 1975 60,705
To 30th September 1976 60,032
To 30th September 1977 59,367

The figures reflect the general trend towards shorter duration of stay in hospital which has been assisted by the provision of new accommodation and facilities in place of a larger number of beds in smaller, fragmented units. As a result, the service has been able to treat more patients in fewer beds.