§ 25. Mr. SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in tackling bed blocking in the health service. [3788]
§ Jacqui SmithThe proportion of people over 75 whose discharge from hospital was delayed fell to 11.1 per cent. in June 2001 compared with 12.1 per cent. in the same quarter in 2000. We are also investing an additional £300 million over this year and the next as part of a radical 'cash for change' programme designed to end widespread 'bed blocking' by 2004. £100 million will be available for the remainder of this financial year to April 2002 with £200 million available for 2002–03.
§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the amount of NHS hospital beds subject to bed blocking, broken down by each hospital trust in England and Wales, shown in actual terms and as a percentage of beds in use. [7618]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 15 October 2001]The proportion of people over 75 whose discharge from hospital was delayed fell to 11.1 per cent. in June 2001 compared with 12.1 per cent. in the same quarter in 2000. We are also investing an additional £300 million over this year and the next as part of a radical 'cash for change' programme designed to end widespread 'bed blocking' by 2004. £100 million will be available for the remainder of this financial year to April 2002 with £200 million available for 2002–03.