§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the number of special care baby units available in hospitals in England and Wales and the total number of places, for each year that figures are available since 1979.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 11 December 1990]: The available information is given in the table. It should be noted that some health authorities provide intensive care facilities within maternity units. Information in respect of hospitals in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
Special care baby units NHS hospitals, England Year Number of units (Provisional) Average daily number of cots 1979 237 3,945 1980 236 3,959 1981 231 3,940 1982 227 3,902 1983 230 3,898 1984 228 3,872 1985 225 3,754 1986 221 3,651 1987–88 206 3,567 1988–89 219 3,513 1989–90 213 3,451