§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many acute beds there were in each of the last five years; and how many he expects there to be in the next 12 months. [78698]
§ Mr. HuttonThe average daily number of beds in acute wards in England since 1996 is:
Year Acute beds 1996–1997 108,869 1997–1998 107,807 1998–1999 107,729 1999–2000 107,218 2000–2001 107,956 Source:
Department of Health form KH03
The NHS Plan made a commitment to increase the number of beds in general & acute wards by 2,100 by 2004.