92002E3025

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3025/02

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(23 October 2002)

Subject: Low hospital bed ratio in the EU

Recent reports in the media indicate that Spain had 162 608 hospital beds in 1999, equivalent to four beds per thousand inhabitants. This is the lowest ratio in the EU and lower than the figure of 5,4 in 1980 recorded by the OECD. The ratio is even lower if we discount the number of beds which are unusable because of works being carried out in hospitals. Hospital administration in Spain is decentralised and measures concerning funding are therefore the responsibility of each autonomous region.

The fall in the number of hospital beds is a problem shared by all the EU countries, but the European average is seven beds per thousand inhabitants. Is the Commission aware of this shortage of beds in European hospitals? In view of the absence of European legislation on the subject, does the Commission intend to promote legislation on this crucial issue?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 2002)

Under the EC Treaty, the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care are the responsibility of the Member States, not of the Community (Article 152, paragraph 5).

The Commission is, therefore, not in the position to promote legislation on the issue of the hospital bed ratio in the Member States.