Eastbourne District General Hospital

Oral Answers to Questions — Health – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 22 March 2005.

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Photo of Norman Baker Norman Baker Liberal Democrat, Lewes 11:30, 22 March 2005

If he will make a statement on bed occupancy at the district general hospital at Eastbourne.

Photo of Rosie Winterton Rosie Winterton The Minister of State, Department of Health

The high occupancy rate at Eastbourne district general hospital has been greatly exacerbated by the level of delayed discharges locally. The primary care trust and social services department met recently to discuss what action the social services department could take to ease the problem.

Photo of Norman Baker Norman Baker Liberal Democrat, Lewes

I am grateful to the Minister, who recognises that the high level of occupancy is causing major problems for my constituents, including the threatened closure, temporary or otherwise, of the accident and emergency department. That is unacceptable. Is the hon. Lady aware that East Sussex county council, which is controlled by the Conservatives, has adopted a deliberate policy of keeping people in hospital, blocking beds and causing massive bills for council tax payers and money to be thrown away on fines?

Photo of Rosie Winterton Rosie Winterton The Minister of State, Department of Health

I am very aware of the problems created by the Conservative-controlled council. Its behaviour is unacceptable. That is why a meeting was held recently between the PCT and the council to highlight the problems caused for patients who were being delayed in hospital as a result of their actions. I hope that it has learned lessons from that and put in place proper procedures to deal with people in the area.

Photo of Desmond Turner Desmond Turner Labour, Brighton, Kemptown

The acute trusts in Brighton are also affected by bed blocking, attributable to East Sussex county council. I, too, have been horrified to learn that that council has adopted a deliberate policy of delaying discharges. Despite being fined £700 per week per patient, the council sees it as a way of saving money. Its assistant director told me that the blame rested with the health economy for not controlling emergency admissions, and it was no good clearing beds because the hospitals would—

Photo of Rosie Winterton Rosie Winterton The Minister of State, Department of Health

My hon. Friend is pointing out that a clear pattern of behaviour is being adopted by Conservative-controlled councils to prevent people from being discharged from hospital, because those councils think it is cheaper for them to keep people in hospital. That is unacceptable. I hope the electorate will take the opportunity at any forthcoming general election to make it clear that they do not accept that that is the way to behave.

Photo of Nigel Waterson Nigel Waterson Shadow Minister, Work & Pensions and Welfare Reform

Returning to Eastbourne, if I may, on any view my local health economy will end the current financial year with a substantial deficit. Given the massive pressures on my local hospital, which we have heard about, the cancelled operations and the warning from the trust board that the accident and emergency department might have to close for some periods, can the Minister assure me and my constituents that no one is putting any pressure on the trust to reduce the deficit at this very difficult time?

Photo of Rosie Winterton Rosie Winterton The Minister of State, Department of Health

The hon. Gentleman will recall that we met to discuss the issue, and I was able to reassure him that the accident and emergency department would certainly not be closing. He accepted the point that I made to him at the time, when I suggested that he might like to speak to colleagues on the council about their policy and about ensuring that they put in place proper procedures for dealing with people. As for dealing with the deficit, it is important that local agencies work closely together. To be frank, the council needs to take note of that and work closely with the PCT.

Photo of Michael Jabez Foster Michael Jabez Foster PPS (Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith, Attorney General), Law Officers' Department, PPS (Rt Hon Harriet Harman QC, Solicitor General), Law Officers' Department

Whatever the challenges facing East Sussex county council, it is failing to comply with its statutory obligations to move people from hospital. Will my hon. Friend give health authorities the authority to make placements in order to empty beds and to send the bill to the council?

Photo of Rosie Winterton Rosie Winterton The Minister of State, Department of Health

I understand my hon. Friend's frustration with the council's actions, although the remedy he proposes is drastic. We will have to keep the matter under review if councils insist on behaving in a fashion that is detrimental to patients in their area and to his constituents and others.