§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how much of the modernisation programme announced on Wednesday 8 May 2002 has been spent; and how many Nightingale wards remain open. [110175]
§ Mr. HuttonIt was announced, in August 2001, that £120 million would be made available over a three-year period as part of a modernisation programme to eliminate Nightingale wards for older people. All funding has been allocated and refurbishment work is underway. When building works are complete, 319 Nightingale wards will have been eliminated, of which 236 are Nightingale wards for older people.
Data on how many Nightingale wards in total remain open is not collected centrally.