A survey of available beds in area health boards: 1976-1991

The last few years has been a period of great change for the health service. A survey was undertaken to examine trends between 1976 and 1991 in the number of available beds within area health boards. Data collection included a survey of area health boards. The survey found that between 1976 and 1991 available beds decreased by 31.0%. However, most of the decrease occurred over the last 3 years; between 1988 and 1991 bed numbers decreased by 18.5%.