§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the admission policies of intensive care units to ensure surgical patients are not deferred or transferred to another hospital pre-operatively because of budget requirements.
§ Mr. StewartAdmission policies for intensive care units are primarily the responsibility of the relevant health board. Admission to an intensive care unit or transfer to another hospital should be determined by clinical decision.
§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what evidence he has received of general practitioners using the emergency bed service for obtaining admissions because of ward closures by providers.
§ Mr. StewartNone. The admission procedures employed by the health boards in Scotland work well.