§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish a table showing, in each of the years 1964 to 1979, the actual cost of a 181W private bed in a London teaching hospital (a) in current purchasing power and (b) in 1964 pounds.
§ Mr. MoyleThe cost of care in private beds in National Health Service hospitals is not separately identified in hospital accounts. Average costs—including consultants' salaries—per in-patient week for
Average cost per in-patient week Current price levels 1964 price levels £ £ £ Financial year ended 31 March— 1965 50.62 185.19 50.62 1966 55.32 193.90 52.79 1967 60.30 203.83 55.47 1968 66.34 217.56 60.13 1969 70.53 217.63 60.26 1970 78.23 230.17 63.46 1971 93.87 254.34 70.84 1972 108.44 271.95 74.91 1973 125.65 291.97 80.39 1974 152.77 313.80 88.94 1975* 229.16 392.71 113.97 1976 261.09 364.10 103.15 1977† 321.16 385.36 110.59 1978† 373.58 409.45 112.78 1979 (estimated) 414.00 414.00 115.90 * Average costs for 1975 are based upon incomplete costing returns. † Average costs from 1977 onwards are based upon costs only in those hospitals which have pay beds.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish a detailed breakdown of the costs on the basis of which his Department has decided to raise the prices of a private bed in the National Health Service to £551 per week in a London teaching hospital and £583 per week in a postgraduate hospital.
§ Mr. MoylePrivate patient charges for 1979–80 for each pay bed classification were determined from the forecast average cost per in-patient week in that classification. This forecast average cost the financial year 1977–78—the latest figures available—which themselves were derived from the total cost per in-patient week in each hospital within the pay bed classification.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what costs, other than food and accommodation, are included in the fees of £551 and £583 for a private bed in National Health Service teaching and postgraduate teaching hospitals.
§ Mr. MoyleThe charges quoted relate to private patients who have not made
182Wall beds in London teaching hospitals from the financial year 1964–65 to 1977–78, the latest year for which figures are available, and the estimated cost for 1978–79, are shown in the following table. Current and 1964 levels have been determined by reference to movements in the general index of retail prices.
separate arrangements for consultants' services under section 65(2) of the National Health Service Act 1977, and who occupy single rooms.
In addition to food and accommodation, these charges cover medical/dental, staff services—including consultants services—nursing staff services, medical and surgical supplies and equipment, pharmacy services—including drugs—diagnostic services—e.g radiography and pathology—para-medical services—e.g. radiotherapy and physiotherapy—administration and medical records, an appropriate contribution towards capital expenditure and a supplement for provision of a single room.
§ Mr. Ian Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what he estimates to be the current weekly cost of a public bed in a London postgraduate teaching hospital and a provincial teaching hospital.
§ Mr. MoyleFor the year beginning 1 April 1979, it is estimated that the average cost per in-patient week will be:
183W
- £533.12 in London postgraduate teaching hospitals; and
- £398.98 in non-London teaching hospitals.
These figures, which include an appropriate contribution to capital account, cover all medical staff services—including consultants—all nursing staff services, all diagnostic and para-medical supporting services and all general—non-treatment—services such as administration, catering and accommodation.