To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds are available in (a) Liverpool, (b) Sefton, (c) Knowsley and (d) Wirral for patients (i) in a permanent vegetative state, (ii) with advanced Huntingtons disease and (iii) with CJD; where these beds are located; and how many new cases of these conditions occurred in these areas in each of the last three years. (106968)

The information requested is not held centrally.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to create centres of excellence for patients with chronic disability in Merseyside. (106969)

Health services in the Mersey area, in conjunction with clinicians and patients, are developing care pathways to improve services for patients with chronic disability. These services will be patient centred rather than having an organisational focus. Many patients with chronic conditions are cared for in their own homes.