§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds have been closed in each district health authority and each regional health authority in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. SackvilleThis information is not available centrally. Information collected centrally is on the average 789W daily number of beds available in each regional and district health authority in each of the last five years and is published in "Bed availability for England", copies of which are available in the Library.
§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what guidance or advice her Department has issued regarding bed occupancy rates; and what guidance or advice her Department has issued regarding bed occupancy requirements that may be laid down by health authorities;
(2) what advice or guidance her Department has issued regarding the vacant bed rate in acute medical or surgical wards.
§ Mr. SackvilleHospitals are expected to make the most efficient use of the beds they have available so that they closely match expected patient activity.