§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the implications of the proportion of the number of available geriatric beds in any given district health authority to the number of geriatric consultants for the provision of good health service provision for the elderly.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe number of geriatric beds available to a geriatric consultant is only one of many aspects of good654W health service provision for elderly people. Other factors would include the use made by elderly patients of beds under other consultants, levels of junior medical and support therapy staff, and, most importantly, the level of care in the community including services via the family practitioner committees. It is for health authorities to resource particular areas of their service according to local needs and circumstances.