The number of NHS average available staffed beds by specialty group, excluding beds in non-NHS locations, for the quarters ending 31 March 1997 to 31 December 1999, the latest period for which information is centrally available, is given in the table.The downward trend in bed numbers in a number of specialties reflects the changing patterns of treatment and care in these areas.NHS In Scotland1 - Average Available Staffed Beds By Specialty GroupQuarters Ending 31 March 1997 to 31 December 1999 MarchJuneSeptemberDecemberMarchJune1997219971997199719981998Acute surgical7,1247,1456,9786,8716,8136,836Acute medical7,0086,7596,5546,6346,9466,731Dental 72 71 69 6868 69GP Other than Obstetrics1,1761,1641,1691,1631,1611,135Obstetrics1,3991,3851,3611,3271,3451,308Geriatric assessment33,6263,6633,6433,7143,8093,676Geriatric long stay35,2435,0964,9754,8554,7664,603Psychiatric8,9818,9298,7698,6578,5248,455Learning disabilities2,9702,8732,8412,8232,7892,672Other specialties 356 347 354 343317 319All specialties37,95437,43336,71436,45536,53735,804 SeptemberDecemberMarchJuneSeptemberDecember1998199819991999p1999p1999pAcute surgical6,8096,7716,6616,6866,5806,406Acute medical6,5146,6206,9706,6726,5136,666Dental 76 70 70 68 70 67GP Other than Obstetrics1,1641,1921,2231,1981,1911,225Obstetrics1,2591,2531,2481,2361,2201,213Geriatric assessment33,5943,5803,6863,6463,5663,618Geriatric long stay34,4504,3594,2054,0404,0593,999Psychiatric8,3768,1218,0537,8767,7687,596Learning disabilities2,5882,5252,4892,3952,2262,134Other specialties 333 329 339 327 315 320All specialties35,16334,82134,94334,14433,50833,244Source: ISD Scotland...