HC Deb 17 November 1978 vol 958 cc371-2W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many civilian in-patients were treated at Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich during the quarter ended 30th September;

(2) what is the estimated annual cost of treating civilian patients at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich; and what arrangements are made to recover any part of the expenditure from the National Health Service.

Mr. Robert C. Brown:

During the quarter ending 30th September 1978, 584 National Health Service patients were admitted for in-patient treatment at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich. The estimated annual cost of treating NHS in-patients at the hospital, based on the current average bed occupancy rate, is £1½3 million. Some NHS patients are accepted on a fill-up basis and for these no charges are recovered. Discussions are proceeding on recovery of costs for the use of certain specialised facilities.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the final cost of building and equipping the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, compared to the original estimate.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The present estimate for building and equipping the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, including the associated staff and training accommodation, is £18½7 miilion. A preliminary estimate of £6 million, at prices then current, was given on 8th July 1969.—[Vol. 786, c. 1164.]

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what is the current estimated annual running cost of the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, based on its full complement of 464 beds;

(2) what is the estimated daily running cost per bed at the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, based on the full complement of beds.

Mr. Robert C. Brown:

The current estimate of the annual running cost of the Queen Elizabeth military hospital, Woolwich, based on its full complement of 464 beds, is about £7½2 million, approximately 20 per cent. of which will be attributable to out-patient facilities. The daily cost per bed based on the maximum occupancy is estimated to be £34.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many civilian in-patients were treated at the Royal Herbert hospital, Woolwich, during each of the most recent five years for which figures are available.

Mr. Robert C. Brown:

The numbers of National Health Service in-patients treated at the Royal Herbert hospital, Woolwich, during the years for which figures are available are as follows:

Year Total NHS admitted
1974 439
1975 440
1976 501
1977 120*
*3 months only

The Royal Herbert hospital, Woolwich, was closed on 31st March 1977.

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