HC Deb 07 March 1991 vol 187 cc263-4W
Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many days in January and February hospitals within the Bradford hospitals trust were refusing to admit patients requiring cold surgery; on whose authority or instructions these decisions were taken; are those patients requiring non-emergency, long-stay operations being admitted now; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

Until 1 April 1991, the hospitals in the Bradford hospitals National Health Service trust are under health authority management. Bradford health authority was required as part of contingency plans for the Gulf war to make beds available in the event of casualties. Throughout this period short-stay cases were admitted and throughput went up. Long-stay patients are now being admitted as usual for treatment.