§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what evidence his Department has on the consequences to the health of patients of the reduction in inpatient average stays for hospital maternity services, acute surgical and geriatric services, respectively.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe length of stay is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant responsible for the individual patient, taking all the circumstances into account. We have no evidence that the reduction in average length of stay has had a detrimental effect on patients. Indeed, patients may benefit from an early return home if the necessary services can be provided in the community.