§ Sir Eldon GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what information he has on the decision of the East Anglian regional health authority that its future planning should be based on the assumption that hospitals providing acute services for East Anglia must have a minimum of 550 to 600 beds for long-term viability; what is Government policy on this matter; how many existing acute hospitals in all parts of the country have fewer than 550 to 600 beds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe appropriate size of an acute hospital is a matter for local decision, in the light of particular needs and circumstances including the 24-hour provision of equipment and skilled staff. I understand that at its January meeting the East Anglian regional health authority endorsed, for planning purposes, the principle of a minimum size for future general acute hospitals.
At the beginning of 1987 there were in England 431 acute hospitals1 (not necessarily all offering district general hospital facilities) with less than 600 beds in total. Departmental policies require authorities to consider the financial, manpower and interdependent service consequences of their planning options.
1 This is based on the definition that such hospitals should have at least 85 per cent. of their beds in the acute specialties.