§ Mr. LathamTo 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 BottomleyUnder 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 EvansTo 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 BottomleyThe 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.