§ Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many hospital beds have been permanently closed in each health board area between the end of 1979 and the present date; and what further closures are contemplated in the current financial year.
§ Mr. John MacKayI refer the hon. Member to my reply of 24 October to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) at column626–28. In 1984 to date the following closures have taken place: 214W
Number of beds Argyll and Clyde Health Board 32 Ayrshire and Arran Health Board 26 Grampian Health Board 26 Shetland Health Board 19 Note: Numbers refer to the approved bed complement at the time of closure: Details provided relate only to complete hospitals taken out of use; information on partial closures or changes of use is not held centrally. Most of the beds closed have been replaced in alternative facilities.
Further hospital closures have been approved by the Secretary of State, but it is not possible to say whether they will take effect during the current financial year.