§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the average number of beds available within Mid Surrey and East Surrey area health authorities for 1980, 198.5 and 1990 or latest available date.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe information requested is given in the table.
Average number of beds available daily. District Health Authority 1980 1985 1989–90 Mid Surrey 2,835 2,275 1,872 East Surrey 2,666 2,267 1,539 A large proportion of this reduction in beds is a result of the successful implementation of the policy of care in the community for the mentally ill and handicapped. Over the period 1979 to 1989–90, there has been an increase in the numbers of patients treated of 18.5 per cent. in mid-Surrey and 26.1 per cent. in east Surrey.