§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the number of beds available in private hospitals and clinics for each year since 1979.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe available information is given in the table.
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Registered beds in private institutions2 as at 31 December, England Year All institutions Beds in institutions with operating theatres 1982 34,786 7,663 1983 38,054 8,105 1984 42,898 8,633 1985 50,985 8,634 19861 62,112 8,991 1 Latest available. 2 Private hospitals, homes and clinics registered under section 23 of the Registered Homes Act 1984.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the percentage of private hospital beds which were in the ownership of American companies, for each year since 1979.
§ Mrs. CurrieWe do not collect this information centrally. However, I understand that an Independent Hospitals Association survey of acute hospitals (UK 1988) showed that in 1979 there were 366 beds (5 per cent.) in hospitals owned by American companies and by July 1988 this had increased to 2,320 beds (22 per cent.) We welcome this growing response to public demand.