§ Rev. William McCreaasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of long-stay geriatric beds provided by the Northern and Western health and social services boards.
§ Mr. Chris PattenThe information is not available in the form requested but at 31 December 1983 there were 554 and 445 geriatric beds in the Northern and Western health and social services boards respectively.
§ Rev. William McCreaasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the number of beds provided by the Northern and Western health and social services boards for patients suffering from cancer.
§ Mr. Chris PattenHospital beds are not specifically designated for the treatment of patients suffering from cancer. Facilities for the treatment of cancerous conditions extend over a wide range of specialities and are provided in varying degrees at the main hospitals in the Province including those in the Northern and Western health and social services boards. A regional service for the treatment of certain types of cancer is also provided by the Eastern health and social services board at the Royal Victoria and Belvoir Park hospitals in Belfast.