§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department classifies as an acceptable level of occupancy for acute beds in respect of(a) the district general hospitals and (b) teaching hospitals. [36791]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department of Health has not attempted to set-a definitive level for bed occupancy rates. Optimum levels are dependent on an examination of local factors and are not therefore suitable or capable of being the subject of central advice.
§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department's target remains to reduce the number of acute beds, by 40 per cent. by 2005 in England and Wales. [36790]
§ Mr. SackvilleThere is no national target for reducing acute beds in England. The number of acute beds needed has to be decided at local level, based on contracted work loads and taking account of local circumstances, such the local rate for emergency admissions, the level of day case treatments and the availability of alternative services, such as hospital at home schemes.
Responsibility for hospital services in Wales is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
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