§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many beds there were in Welsh hospitals in each year since 1979. [14803]
§ Mr. RichardsThe information is given in the table.
Almost 60 per cent. of the reduction in NHS hospital beds over the period is associated with better care for people with mental illnesses or learning disabilities away from the hospital environment. Reductions in the acute sector have been made possible through advances in medical technology and practice, including day case surgery. Since 1979, the total number of people treated as in-patients or day cases in Welsh hospitals has almost doubled.
496W
Average daily available beds in Welsh NHS hospitals Number 1979 23,456 1980 23,203 1981 22,940 1982 22,441 1983–84 22,412 1984–85 22,295 in Wales in (a) 1993–94 and (b) 1994–95 expressed as an actual figure and as a percentage of the total budget. [14453]
§ Mr. RichardsThe information requested is as follows:
Average daily available beds in Welsh NHS hospitals Number 1985–86 21,999 1986–87 21,565 1987–88 21,103 1988–89 20,504 1989–90 19,855 1990–91 19,414 1991–92 18,640 1992–93 18,078 1993–94 17,475 1994–95 16,834