§ Mr. Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will state the number of geriatric beds in England in the National Health Service and as a percentage of total beds for 1970, 1979, 1984 and 1988.
§ Mrs. CurrieThe latest information centrally available is given in the table. As from 1 April 1987 the data available centrally on beds are categorised by the type of 57W ward rather than specialty of the consultant. Wards for elderly patients are included. These data for 1987–88 are not yet available.
Average daily number of available Geriatric beds, National Health Service hospitals, England. Year Average daily available beds, Geriatric specialty Average daily available beds, all specialties Geriatric beds as a percentage of total beds 1 1970 37,869 423,621 8.94 1979 55,139 361,670 15.25 1984 55,571 334,513 16.61 1986 54,588 315,714 17.29 1 Prior to 1972, some beds for geriatric patients would have been shown under another specialty, chronic sick.