§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received over the number of acute beds for the new Hereford hospital; and if he will make a statement. [125128]
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§ Yvette CooperThe British Medical Association Herefordshire Division held a meeting on 31 May at which I understand it was agreed they would write to me asking me to review the provision of hospital beds in Herefordshire.
The important issue for the health service in Herefordshire is the number of patients who need to be treated and the appropriateness of their care. In line with this the services and bed provision for Herefordshire have been reviewed, validated and agreed between the health authority, acute trust, and the community health council.
The agreed plan for Herefordshire has two key elements: consolidating split site acute services and investing in intermediate care in rural and city locations. Intermediate care investment includes provision of modern community hospitals at Ledbury and Kington, additional community health staff, fast response hospital-at-home teams and joint use of re-ablement beds with the local authority.
The report of our National Beds Inquiry, set up to review assumptions about the demand for inpatient care and the implications for hospital bed numbers, was published for consultation on 10 February 2000. Consultation will focus on how health services, and specifically hospital beds, should be developed over the next 10–20 years.