§ 25. Mr. EasthamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital accident and emergency departments have closed since 1979, and since April 1991.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe information is not available centrally.
§ 27. Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is her estimate of the number of(a) beds and (b) accident and emergency departments needed in London.
§ Mr. SackvilleDistrict health authorities are responsible for purchasing hospital and other services for their resident populations, with general practitioner fundholders also purchasing some care for patients on their lists. In addition, districts are responsible for purchasing accident and emergency services for all-comers in their area, and for ensuring that, where major changes to the pattern of local services are proposed, full public consultation takes place.