Written question asked by Liam Fox (Conservative) on Tuesday, 26 March 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 April 2002. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 15 April 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many old-age in-patient psychiatry beds there have been in each of the past five years. - Table given.

Answer: Dr. Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many old-age in-patient psychiatry beds there have been in each of the past five years. [47832] Jacqui Smith: Information on beds designated as "Mental illness--elderly" is given in the table. Average daily number of available beds in mental illness--elderly wards, England, 2000-01--1996-97 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number 2000-01 13,151 1999-2000 13,385 1998-99 14,279 1997-98 14,791 1996-97 15,599 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Source: KH03--Bed availability and occupancy. The reduction in hospital beds for people with mental illness reflects the policy of re-providing long stay hospital accommodation with community based provision.

Secondary information