§ Mr. Dewarasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many geriatric and psychogeriatric beds there are in Scotland and in the Greater Glasgow health board area, respectively; and how many additional beds he estimates there would have to be in each to eliminate the present waiting lists.
§ Mr. FairgrieveNo comprehensive estimate of psychogeriatric, as opposed to psychiatric, beds is available. The number of geriatric beds in Scotland and Greater Glasgow health board area at 30 September 1978 is as follows:
Scotland 10,447 Greater Glasgow 2,325 Waiting list figures are affected by many different factors including the size of the list itself and they cannot be a reliable guide to actual needs. It is therefore not possible to say what number of beds would eliminate waiting lists.