§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds in National Health Service hospitals have been taken out of use since May 1979 in the North-West Thames regional health authority; and how many new beds have been brought into use in the same area and from the same date.
§ Mrs. CurrieIn the North-West Thames region between 1979 and 1985 there has been an overall reduction of available beds in all specialties in hospital of 4,088 (14.6 per cent.). Fewer beds does not necessarily mean lower standards of care. A total of 1,424 new beds have been made available in capital schemes costing £1 million or more. Numbers of patients treated have risen including a 68 per cent. increase in numbers of day cases (to 63,000 in 1985). Reductions in the size of hospitals for mentally ill and mentally handicapped people account for about two-thirds of the beds lost over the period. If my hon. Friend should wish for further information I suggest that he contacts the chairman of North-West Thames Regional Health Authority.