§ 17. Mr. Baldryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, since 1980 what has been the (a) net increase in new operating theatres, (b) net increase in new X-ray rooms, (c) net increase in new accident and emergency departments and (d) net increase in new outpatient departments in the National Health Service; and how this compares with the previous four-year period.
§ 4. Mr. John PattenIn the five years 1980 to 1984, 35 major hospital schemes, each valued between £5 million and £20 million, have been completed and include 169 new operating theatres, 105 X-ray rooms, 23 accident and emergency departments and 22 outpatient departments.
New building schemes for the National Health Service are spread over the whole country and although some of them provide for new communities, most have replaced old and outdated facilities. Over 70 major schemes, each costing over £5 million and with a total value in excess of £840 million, are being planned, designed and constructed. This increased investment is bringing real improvements in terms of new hospital buildings as well as maintenance of existing stock.
Information on the content of new building schemes for the four-year period 1976–1979 is not available centrally.