§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) Official Report, 4 February, columns 709 to 712, to what factors he attributes the changes in average available staffed beds within Tayside health board in the broad specialties mentioned in the period 1979 to 1985.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe position in each of the specialties is as follows:
Acute
The number of beds in the acute sector has been reduced by the changes of use of Arbroath infirmary, closure of Sidlaw hospital and the gradual rundown of Bridge of Earn hospital. Outdated facilities have been replaced by new ones at Dundee royal infirmary and Perth royal infirmary.GeriatricDuring the period in question, the main increase took place in Perth and Kinross where geriatric units were developed at several smaller hospitals.174W Mental IllnessThe closure of Murthly hospital,a substantial reduction in beds at Sunnyside hospital, Montrose, and a decrease in demand for mental illness beds are the main factors in this category.Mental Handicap
The reduction in the number of beds has taken place mainly at Strathmartine hospital and is due to the health board's policy of enabling some mentally handicapped patients to return from hospital gradually to the community.MaternitySmall uneconomic units with low levels of occupancy have been closed. The demand for maternity beds is being adequately met.