Written question asked by David Crausby (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 8 March 2000. It was answered by Yvette Cooper (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 March 2000 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to provide paediatric intensive care facilities in the Royal Bolton Hospital; what plans he has to provide more paediatric intensive care facilities in the Greater Manchester Clinical Directorate.

Answer: Mr. Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has to provide paediatric intensive care facilities in the Royal Bolton Hospital; [104287] (2) what plans he has to provide more paediatric intensive care facilities in the Greater Manchester Clinical Directorate. [104283] Yvette Cooper: There are no plans to provide paediatric intensive care facilities at the Royal Bolton Hospital as it would not be appropriate for paediatric intensive care to take place in a District General Hospital setting which would not have either the required skills or bed numbers. Any perceived need to increase the number of paediatric intensive care beds in the Greater Manchester area will be examined by the North West Specialist Group in consultation with the Paediatric Intensive Care Commissioning Group and the relevant lead health authority. In the event of a subsequent review then the following areas would be examined as part of that process; number of admissions, number of refusals, average length of stay and occupancy rates in relation to the facilities currently available and level of dependency of the child.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 345 c743W; 104287;104283
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Hospitals Greater Manchester Intensive care Paediatrics Royal Bolton Hospital