HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 c984W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of hospital beds are taken up annually by road accident victims; and what is the cost(a) including and (b) excluding out-patients.

Mr. Freeman

In 1985, the latest year for which figures are available centrally, road accident cases occupied 2 percent. of non-psychiatric, non-maternity beds in NHS hospitals in England. In 1986, the latest year for which the calculations are available, the estimated total cost to the National Health Service of dealing with road accident victims in England was £132 million, of which an estimated £7 million relates to out-patient costs.