§ Mr. Meadowcroftasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the costing returns submitted by health authorities in England showing total current expenditure on hospitals categorised as pre-convalescent and convalescent for each year from 1979 to date.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to his reply, 30 April 1987, c. 221–22]: The information requested is as follows.
439W
Year Expenditure £ 1979–80 13,458,656 1980–81 10,349,329 1981–82 10,758,114 1982–83 9,943,684 1983–84 9,657,117 1984–85 6,911,744 1985–86 5,500,259 The level and extent of provision of convalescence beds is a matter for local decision. Modern concepts of patient care and rehabilitation have resulted in a diminishing demand for convalescence in its traditional form.