ROLE OF COMMUNITY HOSPITALS

That this House endorses the Government's pre-election manifesto commitment emphasising the vital role of community hospitals in the National Health Service; and accordingly believes that the role of community hospitals should be enhanced and developed and that proposals by primary care trusts to reduce or close in-patient beds in these hospitals, essential for intermediate care, should be resisted as it would add to the burdens on over-worked acute hospitals, reduce choice and accessibility for patients and impede the delivery of Government health objectives.