HC Deb 02 February 1995 vol 253 cc841-2W
Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the average and mean rate of bed occupancy for (a) St. Thomas's hospital, London, (b) King's College hospital, London, (c) Royal London hospital, (d) Homerton hospital, London, (e) University College hospital, London and (f) Whittington hospital, London, in 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93 and 1993–94; and what is the estimated increase in journey times for patients in the areas immediately surrounding St. Bartholomew's hospital, London, to travel to these hospitals.

Mr. Malone

Information on the average and mean rates of bed occupancy is not available centrally. Detailed information about individual trusts may be obtained by writing to the appropriate trust chairmen.

Studies have shown that St. Thomas hospital, King's College hospital, the Royal London hospital, Homerton hospital and University College hospital are all within 15 minutes driving time1 of St. Bartholomew's hospital. The journey time to the Whittington is only slightly longer.

1 Based on average traffic speed, Monday to Friday off-peak.

Mrs. Beckett

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the current bed capacity of(a) St. Thomas's hospital, London, (b) Kings College hospital, London, (c) Royal London hospital, (d) Homerton hospital, London, (e) University College hospital, London and (f) Whittington hospital, London.

Mr. Malone

The bed capacity of individual hospital sites within hospital trusts is not available centrally. Available information for hospital trusts is shown in the table:

Acute bed numbers in inner London trusts—average available beds 1993–94
Trust Acute
Guys and St. Thomas's Hospital Trust1 1,054
King's Healthcare2 634
Royal Hospitals NHS Trust3 610
Homerton Hospital4 321
University College London Hospitals5 562
Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 420
1 Includes Guy's hospital and St. Thomas's hospital.
2 Includes King's College hospital and Dulwich hospital.
3 Includes the Royal London hospital, St. Bartholomew's hospital and the London Chest hospital.
4 Shadow Trust.
5 Includes University College hospitals and the Central Middlesex hospital.

Acute beds includes: General patients excluding elderly, younger physically disabled, neonatal cots not in maternity wards, terminally ill/palliative care. Mental illness and maternity beds are not included.