Hospital Bed Shortages

HC Deb 12 December 1989 vol 163 c613W

67. Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects present hospital bed shortages to be reduced to 1979 levels.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The treatment of patients is more important than bed numbers. Since 1979, the number of inpatient admissions has risen by over 22 per cent. and the number of day case admissions by over 48 per cent. (both to March 1988), while waiting lists, taken on a comparable basis, have fallen by 6 per cent. (to March 1989).