§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to review the role of rural community hospitals; and if he will make a statement; [2489]
(2) if he will make a statement on the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to rural community hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [2488]
§ Mr. BoatengI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the right hon. Member for Devizes (Mr. Ancram) on 2 June,Official Report, column 41
§ Mr. BurnettTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list the bed-types on which the efficiency of hospitals is assessed, with particular reference to community hospitals; and what plans he has to increase the variety of bed-types used in that assessment; [2486]
(2) if he will list the criteria used by his Department in assessing the efficiency of hospitals, with particular reference to rural community hospitals. [2487]
§ Mr. BoatengWe measure the efficiency of health authorities, not hospitals, centrally. Activity is at present measured by the number of episodes of care, not the number or type of bed used. Where a health authority commissions inpatient care from a community hospital then this activity will at present be measured in the efficiency index for that authority.