HC Deb 25 February 2003 vol 400 c523W
Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his latest estimate is of the average length of stay for in-patients in an NHS hospital in England; and what the average length of stay was in February(a) 2002, (b) 2000, (c) 1998 and (d) 1996. [97839]

Mr. Hutton

The average length of stay for ordinary admissions to national health service hospital trusts in England over years from April to March is shown in the table.

Average length of stay (days)
2001–02 8.1
2000–01 8.2
1998–99 8.7
1996–97 10.3

Notes:

1. Day cases are excluded. Figures relate to all admissions, including general and acute, mental health and maternity.

2. Data in this table are adjusted for both coverage and unknown/invalid clinical data, except for 2001–02 which is not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

3. The length of stay relates to spells finishing over the period; some bed days may have preceded the start of the year.

Source:

Hospital Episodes Statistics