§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the lowest number of intensive care beds available in each region of England and Wales on each day between 20 December and 10 January. [104649]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 13 January 2000]: Information collected by the Department is unvalidated management information gathered over a period of hours primarily to give an indication of bed availability. However, the position may change constantly and it is not possible to establish whether the figures obtained reflect the lowest, maximum or average occupancy for that day. Even when no beds are reported as available, National Health Service trusts may invoke contingency arrangements to give patients the care they need. For this reason it is not possible to provide the information requested. The unvalidated management information has been placed in the Library.