§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many acute hospital beds pro rata to its population each health board in Northern Ireland provides; and whether he will take steps to remove any inequality of provision.
§ Mr. HanleyThe figures requested are as follows:
HSS Board Available Acute Beds per 1,000 population (1989–90) Eastern 5.1 Northern 2.5 Southern 2.8 Western 2.7 The high level of provision in the Eastern board area reflects the inclusion of beds for regional medical services there. All hospitals often provide care to patients outside own board areas.