§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the number of NHS beds in hospitals in the north-west since 1997. [43732]
§ Jacqui SmithThere has been a marked increase in the number of acute hospital beds.
In 1996–97, there were 16,792 acute beds in hospitals in the North West of England (excluding North Cumbria Health Authority) and by 2000–01, this had increased to 17,224. This represents an increase of 432 (2.6 per cent.).
The figures for total beds, given in the following table, show a more appropriate provision of care outside the hospital environment.
Staffed beds in wards open overnight—Average daily total for the financial year 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 Acute 16,792 17,006 17,082 17,094 17,224 Geriatric 4,251 3,748 3,462 3,466 3,565 Maternity 5,171 5,030 4,748 4,636 4,499 Learning disability 925 644 572 492 414 Mental health 1,667 1,616 1,496 1,463 1,399 Total beds 28,806 28,044 27,360 27,150 27,101 Total general/acute beds 21,043 20,751 20,544 20,560 20,790 Note:
Excludes North Cumbria HA