§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services for what reasons, other than medical, hospital beds are occupied.
§ Mr. John PattenIn general, patients occupying hospital beds do so because they require medical investigation, treatment or care, including rehabilitation. Local variations in facilities may mean that some patients, particularly elderly people, receive hospital care as an alternative to care in the community. Some patients in long stay hospitals remain there only because there is nowhere else for them to go. The Care in the Community initiative was launched to facilitate their transfer to more appropriate care.
215WA small number of beds are set aside for the use of relatives or friends where it is in the best interests of patients that they remain close at hand.