§ Mr. James LamondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds there were in(a) the Oldham health authority area, (b) the Greater 363W Manchester area and (c) the rest of the country in May 1979 and at the latest date for which figures are available; what was the percentage change; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe information requested is shown in the table.
Average daily available beds, Oldham HA, Greater Manchester and the rest of England, 1979 and 1987–88 1979 1987–88 Percentage change Oldham 1,045 993 -5 Greater Manchester 17,618 16,202 -8 Rest of England 326,419 280,575 -14 Because of advances in medical treatment, periods of in-patient care have reduced and more patients are now treated as out-patients or on a day care basis. The latest figures available centrally show that patient activity increased as follows;
NHS hospitals activity, in Oldham, Greater Manchester and in rest of England In-patients treated 1979 11987–88 Percentage change Oldham 23,542 30,707 30.4 Greater Manchester 350,892 444,237 26.6 Rest of England 5,049,228 6,175,117 22.3 Out patients attendences (total) Oldham 140,972 158,079 12.1 Greater Manchester 2,363,459 2,602,003 10.1 Rest of England 31,736,266 34,148,210 7.6 Day cases 1986 Oldham 2,085 3,612 73.2 Greater Manchester 45,283 83,009 83.3 Rest of England 546,778 967,149 76.9 1 Patients attending out-patient clinics soley for attention of a minor nature and not seen by a doctor, eg. to have a dressing changed, are no longer counted. Prior to 1987–88 new outpatient attendances were first attendances at an individual hospital for a continuous series of treatments, but are now first attendances within the district when the attendance has not been initiated by the consultant or one of his staff. Day case figures for 1987–88 are not yet available. 1986 day case figures are given in the table.