§ 25. Mr. Nicholas Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Wales what action has been taken to appoint a new consultant for the accident unit in Haverfordwest; and how many general practitioners have been recruited for permanent appointments at the hospital.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe appointment of an additional consultant has been approved and the Welsh Hospital Board is discussing the detailed working arrangements with the hospital management committee. Nine local general practitioners work at the hospital on a sessional basis but none has been recruited for permanent appointments.
§ Mr. EdwardsAlthough the appointment has been approved, no consultant is actually working in the hospital. As 18 months have passed since the Report and people's lives are daily at stake, will my bon. Friend give the matter his personal attention and do his best to ensure that the problems are overcome?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattYes, I give that assurance. The appointment of a new consultant will make necessary changes in the working arrangements of other consultants and these are taking time to resolve. The hospital board is doing all it can to reach early agreement.