§ Mrs. BeckettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many geriatric beds and psychiatric beds were available in the district health authority area containing Colchester general hospital in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. BowisThe number of geriatric beds and mental illness beds in the North Essex district health authority area is shown in the table:
Average available beds, wards open night and day Geriatric Mental illness 1989–90 876 698 1990–91 708 643 1991–92 666 598 1992–93 668 580 1993–94 626 532 Note:
For 1991–92 and earlier years, figures are for three district health authorities Mid Essex, North East Essex and West Essex. In 1992–93 Essex Rivers Healthcare trust was formed 1993–94 figures are for Mid Essex Hospital Services trust, Essex Rivers Healthcare trust, Essex and Herts health services, and Mid-Essex mental health services.
Source:
KHO3 returns.
Bed numbers have declined because of the move from secondary care to care in the community, through for example nursing home contracts and general practitioner managed beds.