§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many beds have been closed in Barnsley district general hospital in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 to date.
§ Mrs. CurrieI am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member all the information he seeks. The available information is given in the table. Between 1979 and 1985 the number of in-patient cases treated at the hospital increased by 27 per cent. from 21,027 to 26,628.
For more recent information the hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Barnsley district health authority.
Barnsley district general hospital Year A verage daily available beds Number Change over previous year 1980 763.5 -40.1 1981 778.4 + 14.9 19821 717.2 - 61.2 1983 778.4 + 61.2 1984 772.9 -5.5 1985 765.2 -7.7 1 Figures for 1982 were affected by industrial action in the Health Service.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the average time of stay in Barnsley district general hospital for all patients; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that some patients are not being discharged too early.
§ Mrs. CurrieI am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks in precisely the form requested. A single overall length of stay for all specialties is not meaningful. Figures for non-psychiatric specialties are given in the table. The timing of discharge for an individual patient is a matter for the consultant concerned.
Private Patients in NHS Hospitals—1985 Hospital No. of pay beds at 31 December Average daily no. of beds occupied Percentage bed occupation Discharges and deaths Out-patient attendances Day case attendances Regular day patient attendances Barnsley District General 3 (plus 2 Emergency beds) 103 33 127 362 122 Nil
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the average waiting list times for patients to see each consultant at Barnsley district general hospital; and how long after seeing the consultant is the average waiting time for operations.
§ Mrs. CurrieI am sorry I cannot give the hon. Member the information he seeks. Information on numbers awaiting out-patient appointments is not held centrally. For waiting time of patients admitted from the waiting list, the numbers in the central data sample are too small for reliable estimates to be made below regional level. The hon. Member may wish to write to the chairman of the Barnsley district health authority for the information required.
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Barnsley district general hospital-1985 Specially Average length of stay in days of patients discharged/died during year General medicine 7.7 Paediatrics 3.9 Infectious Diseases 4.0 Dermatology 16.5 Rheumatology 14.2 Geriatrics 13.6 General surgery 7.4 Ear, Nose and Throat 3.3 Trau and orthopaedic 10.4 Opthalmology 7.3 Oral surgery 2.2 Gynaecology 4.4 Obstetrics 6.0 Special care baby unit 7.2 Mental illness n/a G.P. Maternity 3.1 Accident & Emergency 1.8 Coronary care 13.8 Haematology 9.3 Intensive care unit 12.2
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many medical and other services have been privatised at Barnsley district general hospital since 1979; and what effect this has had on the wages of existing ancillary workers at the hospital.
§ Mrs. CurrieI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, what is the extent of private practice and treatment in Barnsley district general hospital; and how many beds are available for consultants' private practice.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe information requested is in the table, which gives the latest available statistics.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when and why the neonatal services were removed from Barnsley district general hospital.
§ Mrs. CurrieNeonatal services continue to be provided at Barnsley district general hospital. There has been no change in provision. The hon. Member may like to contact the district chairman, Councillor Wake, on any detailed points about the service provided.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many wards in Barnsley district general hospital remain unopened; if he will give a firm date for their opening; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThere are no unopened wards in Barnsley district general hospital. The hon. Member may like to contact the district chairman, Councillor Wake, about any recent changes in services.