To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms are used to allocate funding for intensive care beds. (278491)

It is for local healthcare providers, working with healthcare commissioners to determine the allocation of funding for intensive care in accordance with their local population characteristics, anticipated case mix and level of elective and emergency activity.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued to hospitals to assist them in determining the optimum number of intensive care beds. (278492)

Local healthcare providers, working with their commissioners and supported by critical care networks determine the optimum number of critical care beds required to meet the needs of their local populations taking account of anticipated case mix and level of activity. They are supported in this by the long-term strategy document published in May 2000 “Comprehensive Critical Care.” A copy has been placed in the Library.