§ Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the total number of hospital beds in the Essex area for each of the main specialties; how many in each of these were not in use in May 1979, to achieve economies in expenditure; and how many further beds in each case have been taken out of service or are scheduled to be taken out of service since that date for any reason;
(2) if he will list the reductions made or planned in services to patients in the Harlow district of the Essex area health authority since May 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanThe average daily number of available hospital beds in the Essex Area Health Authority for each of the main specialties as at 31 December 1978 is as follows:
General medicine 729.8 Paediatrics 122.0 Infectious diseases 22.7 Chest diseases 97.8 Dermatology 13.7 Neurology 47.8 Rehabilitation 69.4 Rheumatology 27.7 Geriatrics 1,442.6 Young disabled 67.0 General surgery 741.5 Ear nose and throat 109.4 Traumatic and orthopaedic 463.8 Opthalmology 93.2 Radiotherapy 63.9 Plastic surgery 67.1 Thoracic surgery 6.0 Dental surgery 35.1 Gynaecology 234.6 Obstetrics 419.9 Special care babies 97.4 Psychiatry, children 12.3 Mental handicap 2,211.1 Mental illness 2,143.9 GP maternity 117.6 GP other 211.8 Area health authorities are responsible for deciding what temporary changes in provision should be made either to keep within the available resources or for other reasons and such changes are not 491W routinely notified to the Department. The hon. Member may like to seek further information direct from the Essex area health authority.