§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will publish a table showing for each health authority the number of hospital beds temporarily closed and the number which have been closed for a period exceeding three months, and also a list of temporary closures which have been outstanding for more than 12 months.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe do not collect this information centrally.
§ Ms. Clare Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will issue instructions to health authorities defining a maximum period for temporary closure of hospital beds, after which the full procedure set out in health circular HSC(IS)207 must be followed if the temporary closure is to continue.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeWe have no plans to do so. We expect authorities to follow the full consultation procedures once there is a possibility of their wishing to make a temporary closure permanent.