Written question asked by Tam Dalyell (Labour) on Friday, 24 October 1997, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 October 1997. It was answered by Sam Galbraith (Labour) on Monday, 27 October 1997 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will list the number of staffed beds projected in the published Lothian Health Acute Strategy for (a) all hospitals in the Lothian Health Board area, (b) the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh Trust and (c) the West Lothian NHS Trust. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of staffed beds projected in the published Lothian health acute strategy for (a) all hospitals in the Lothian health board area, (b) the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh trust and (c) the West Lothian NHS trust. [12748] Mr. Galbraith: Lothian health board's 1993 public consultation document on the acute services strategy indicated that following implementation of the proposals there were expected to be 2,042 acute hospital beds-- excluding obstetrics, special care baby unit, geriatric assessment and elderly continuing care beds--within the new royal infirmary, Western general and St. John's hospitals. Total projected bed numbers--excluding only continuing care elderly beds--for the new royal infirmary and St. John's hospital were 942 and 654 respectively. Since consultation, Lothian health board has continued to refine and revise its plans in consultation with the trusts, and relevant clinicians.

Secondary information