HC Deb 27 June 2002 vol 387 cc1089-90W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there are in the Portsmouth, South constituency that are waiting to leave; and if he will make a statement. [64478]

Ms Blears

Information on delayed discharges is collected at health authority rather than constituency level. All available information has been placed in the Library. Figures for Quarter 4 of 2001–02 show that the former Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire health authority area had 97 delayed discharges.

The Government recognise that delayed discharges are a problem across the south-east. Health and local authorities are working together to take action to improve the situation. In October 2001 the Government announced an extra £300 million in the "Cash for Change" initiative to tackle bed blocking in 2001–02 and 2002–03. Last year Hampshire received over £2 million, this year over £5 million.

Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many delayed discharges there were in(a)North Yorkshire and (b)England in the last three months. [63082]

Jacqui Smith

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave her on 26 June 2002,Official Report,column 976W.