HC Deb 01 July 1992 vol 210 cc635-6W
Mr. Jessel

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it remains Government policy, as set out by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health in a letter to the hon. Member for Twickenham on 25 July 1990, that Teddington memorial hospital and the general practitioner beds within it have a secure future for as long as general practitioners and patients continue to want to use them; if the Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton district health authority has been made aware that this is Government policy; if she will ask the authority to comply; and if she will inform the hon. Member for Twickenham of the result.

Mr. Sackville

I have recently visited Teddington memorial hospital.

All health authorities are obliged to consider carefully the health needs of their population and should ensure that in contracting for health services, both acute and in the community, they have consulted local people including, for example, GPs.

Mr. Jessel

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the occupancy rate for the 27 general practitioner beds at the Teddington memorial hospital; and what representations she has received from general practitioners, and from the applicants for trust status concerning the demand for continuation of provision of general practitioner beds.

Mr. Sackville

Information on bed occupancy rates is not collected centrally.

Local GPs and staff at Teddington memorial have written to Ministers expressing their concern about the provision of general practitioner beds. I will reply shortly.

Mr. Jessel

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers she has to require a district health authority acting as a purchasing authority to provide for the purchase of general practitioner beds where there is clear evidence of demand from general practitioners and their patients.

Mr. Sackville

District health authorities are expected to purchase a wide range of health services for their local populations. The level and type of services purchased are for the authorities themselves to determine in the light of local needs and priorities.