HC Deb 28 November 1989 vol 162 c223W
Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he will make a statement on the role and extent of services which he intends to be delivered in local community hospitals; and how he intends these services to be made available to non-budget holding partnerships of general practitioners.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Under the proposals in the National Health Service and Community Care Bill, district health authorities (and those GPs with practice budgets) will take into account the services offered by community hospitals when they place contracts to ensure the provision of a comprehensive range of services for their patients. Where DHAs have placed contracts with community hospitals the services offered will be available as now to those general practitioners who do not hold a practice budget.

Patients treated in National Health Service hospitals St. Helens and Knowsley district health authority
1982 1986 1987–88 11988–89
In-patient cases treated 32,965 34,045 35,140 35,346
Day cases 6,271 8,034 7,875 9,549
New out-patients 34,181 38,433 37,381 40,533
Total out-patients attendances 166,574 169,750 163,726 164,773
1 Provisional

Source: 1982, 1986: SH3 return.

1987–88, 1988–89: SH3A, KH09, KP70 returns.

In-patient waiting lists
St. Helens and Knowsley district health authority at at 31 March
Total
1982 3,405
1986 3,868
1987–881 3,775
1988–891 3,586
1 Total less self-deferred.

Mr. John Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on ward closures in the St. Helens and Knowsley health authority.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The management of health services locally is a matter for the health authority concerned. The hon. Member may wish to contact the chairman of the St. Helens and Knowsley health authority.

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