§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many geriatric beds were available in 1979; how many are currently available; how many he estimates will be available in (a) 1984 and (b) 1986; and what steps he is taking to increase the number.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe average daily number of available beds in departments of geriatric medicine in England and Wales in 1979 was 59,229. In 1980, the latest year for which figures are available, the number was 59,055. It is not possible to estimate reliably the number of such beds that will be available in 1984 and 1986.
In recent years the Government have attached high priority to the development of health services for elderly people and there has been a distinct improvement in the amount and range of provision. This has included moving some elderly people from hospitals back either into the community with support, or to nursing homes. It is for regional and district health authorities to decide the pace of further development, in the light of local needs and resources, and other competing priorities.