Leighton Hospital, Crewe

HC Deb 30 April 1990 vol 171 cc406-7W

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been done into the numbers of private patients using Leighton hospital, Crewe, during the last two years and their views on the creation of an independent hospital trust.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

The latest information held centrally on private patients treated at Leighton hospital is given in the table.

Private patients, Leighton hospital, Crewe District Health Authority, 1987–88 and 1988–89
	1987–88	1988–89
Average daily occupied beds	6.5	9.5
In-patient cases treated	950.0	917.0
Day case admissions	423.0	573.0
In-patients occupying a bed as at 31 March	7.0	8.0
In-patient average length of stay (days)	2.5	3.8

Source: KP21 return.

Since 1989, Leighton hospital has provided no accommodation for private in-patients and day cases, although it continues to receive an income from other services provided for private patients. We know of no research into the views of private patients on the creation of independent hospital trusts.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will institute a consultation procedure in the Crewe and Nantwich area which will enable patients and the general populace of Crewe and Nantwich to give their opinions on the creation of an independent hospital trust at Leighton hospital, Crewe.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

It will be for Mersey region to determine locally the detailed arrangements to be made for consultation if an application for NHS trust status is submitted by Leighton hospital. We have made it clear that we expect regions to seek the views of all those with an interest, including the local community.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what machinery has been recommended by his Department to Leighton hospital, Crewe as a means of consulting the staff before any decisions are taken on the creation of an independent hospital trust.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Applications for NHS trust status will not be invited until Parliament has approved the necessary legislation. It will then be for regions to determine locally the detailed arrangements to be made for formal consultation on applications. We have made it clear that we expect them to seek the views of all those with an interest, including the staff at the unit concerned.