§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the working of the Aberdeen formula of patient dependency used to define staffing levels in hospitals; and whether, using this formula, there is a shortage of trained nursing staff for psychogeriatric care in the Dundee district of the Tayside health board.
§ Mr. Allan Stewart:The Aberdeen formula is a system for calculating the nurse staffing establishments required in hospitals. It is based on the dependency levels of patients but takes into account other factors related to patient care in different specialities. The details of the method of using the system are rather complex, and I shall write to the hon. Member giving a fuller outline. It is recognised that the formula is of limited practical value in its application to psychogeriatric wards. The Department does not collect information on the use of the formula in individual health boards.