To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of palliative care beds in Worcestershire; and if she will make a statement. (79617)

Funds are allocated direct to primary care trusts (PCTs) who are responsible for commissioning appropriate services to meet the needs of their local communities. It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) to work with PCTs and national health service trusts to ensure that those services commissioned do meet the needs of local communities and reflect national priorities. In this instance, this is a matter for West Midlands SHA.

The Department collects data relating to individual ward types. The information relating to the number of adult terminally ill/palliative care beds within the South Worcestershire PCT area is shown in the table.