HC Deb 18 May 1978 vol 950 cc275-6W
Mr. Adam Butler

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many additional geriatric beds are planned for the area health authorities in Leicestershire; when these are likely to be available; and how many, if any, are planned for closure.

Mr. Moyle

Trent Regional Health Authority plans that from 1986–87 168 beds at Leicester Royal Infirmary will be used temporarily for geriatric patients until about 1990 when 200 new geriatric beds and complementary day places are likely to become available as part of phase IV of the hospital's redevelopment. The RHA also has plans for provision of a community hospital in South-West Leicestershire health district. This will include a number, as yet unspecified, of beds for the elderly and elderly severely mentally infirm and is likely to be available by about 1985. Development of community hospitals in other centres will also be considered. Any consequential closures will be subject to full public consultation at the appropriate time.

Mr. Adam Butler

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many geriatric beds there are in the area health authorities in Leicestershire; how this compares with the national average; and how many of these are supported by full medical and other facilities.

Mr. Moyle

At 31st December 1976 there were 863 geriatric beds, representing 7.9 beds per 1,000 population aged 65 years and over, compared with a national average figure of 8.3. Of these beds, 178 are situated at a district general hospital with ready access to full diagnostic and therapeutic facilities.