§ Mr. Fallonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many in-patients, out-patients and day-patients were treated in the northern region in 1986; and how many were so treated in 1983.
§ Mrs. CurrieI am sorry that I cannot give my hon. Friend all the information he seeks. Information on individual patients treated is not available centrally and figures for 1986 are not yet available. The available information is given in the table.
NHS hospitals in Northern RHA All specialties 1983 1985 In-patient cases 409,115 433,131 Day cases 66,093 75,473 Out-patient attendances: New attendances 557,125 595,232 Total attendances 2,451,627 2,543,549
§ Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has on the relative costs of caring for a patient in (a) the Thames valley hospice and (b) a comparable National Health Service bed; and if he has any plans to assist private hospices.
§ Mrs. CurrieInformation on the costs of caring for a patient in individual hospices is not held centrally. The average daily cost of one in-patient in a National Health Service acute hospital is £132.23 a day, but this is not directly comparable with the costs of hospice care. Assistance for private hospices is a matter for individual health authorities. All health authorities have been asked to examine their current provision of services for terminally ill patients and to plan to fill gaps, where possible in collaboration with the voluntary sector.