§ 7. Sir Raymond Gowerasked the Secretary of State for Wales what effect the closure of the cardiac surgical unit at Sully Hospital has had on the waiting period for patients requiring cardiac surgery; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Barry Jones)Following closure of the Sully cardiac surgery unit there was an initial increase in the waiting list, subsequently aggravated by infection problems in the University Hospital of Wales' operating theatres. This year there has been a steady reduction in the number of people waiting for operations. Already this year some 300 operations have been performed at the University Hospital, and the waiting list is little more than half the corresponding figure last year.
§ Sir Raymond GowerIs the Minister aware that, whatever the merits or demerits of the long-term proposal to close the cardiac unit at the Sully Hospital, the step that was taken some time ago was premature and ill advised? Is he further aware that, in the view of many consultants, had the unit been kept at Sully many patients would not have had to wait so long or otherwise have had to be sent to London at great expense?
§ Mr. Barry JonesThe hon. Gentleman's right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Thomas), the then Secretary of State for Wales, sanctioned this change in November 1970. In 1974 the University Hospital carried out 261 operations. So 9 far this year there have been 298 operations. Both these totals are more than in any of the last five years at Sully.