HL Deb 23 July 2001 vol 626 cc177-8WA
Baroness Masham of Ilton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is a shortage of medical beds at Peterborough District Hospital, leading to waits on trolleys in corridors before a bed becomes vacant; and whether they have plans to increase the numbers of beds and registered nurses there. [HL393]

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath

Peterborough District Hospital has a medical assessment unit which opened four years ago. The medical assessment unit is designed to ensure that medical admissions are dealt with appropriately, and that trolley waits for patients are reduced. The unit has recently been upgraded, and capacity increased to 14 beds.

All hospitals are reviewing their capacity and future bed needs as part of the current local modernisation review.