§ Dr. FoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what changes have been made to the designations of hospital beds since 1 May 1997; [15318]
(2) changes have been made to the methods of counting bed numbers since 1 May 1997. [15317]
§ Mr. HuttonNo changes have been made to the methods of counting the published average bed numbers since 1 May 1997. A new twice-yearly census was introduced in March 1999 to improve the availability of information on critical care. In addition, a special census of beds to inform progress on implementing capacity plans for winter was taken on 1 December 2000.
Information on numbers of beds is collected by broad ward designation not by individual bed designation. No changes have been made to the ward designation since 1194W May 1997. Additional categories, such as intermediate care, are being introduced to reflect changes to the way services are delivered.