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Dr. Cable
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what levels of spare capacity in terms of (a) beds and (b) staff hospitals are advised to maintain to meet surges in demand for accident and emergency services. [65493]
Mr. Hutton
We have published guidance and good practice on managing emergency pressures in the emergency services action team (ESAT) reports of 1997 and 1998. Within this broad framework it is for health authorities and National Health Service trusts to balance services to meet emergency demand throughout the year. Copies of the ESAT reports are available in the Library.