§ 4. Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many new hospitals are under construction in Wales; and whether he is satisfied with the rate at which they are being completed.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)Major new hospital development is under way at Bangor, Newport and Bridgend. Substantial improvements and developments are being carried out at Bronllys in Powys, Griffithstown in Gwent and Velindre in Cardiff. Work on the planned new hospitals at Morriston and Wrexham is expected to start this financial year. The rate of progress on all these schemes has been generally satisfactory. Among smaller schemes in the pipeline, planning is in progress to replace the Adelina Patti hospital at Ystradgynlais in my hon. Friend's constituency.
§ Mr. HoosonWhile progress on all these hospital schemes is most pleasing, I hope that my hon. Friend will pay particular attention to the great need in rural Wales for small local community hospitals which serve a large proportion of total needs and which are much appreciated.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI can give my hon. Friend assurances on that point. This is, primarily, a matter for the area health authorities. My hon. Friend will know that in his own constituency it is planned to replace the Adelina Patti hospital with a new community hospital at Ystradgynlais.
§ Dr. Roger ThomasWill the Minister state what hope, and promises, he has for the 33 per cent. of the electorate of the Carmarthen constituency who regard Llanelli as their main centre for hospital treatment? There was a complete absence in his answer of any reference to Llanelli. When will Llanelli and that area have a district general hospital up to the standard of district general hospitals in the rest of Dyfed?
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI think that the hon. Gentleman knows that we recently approved the development of a new hospital on a green field site at Bryngwynmawr with a first phase costing between £16 million and £17 million. Present indications are that the earliest possible start on site will be towards the end of 1983.
§ Mr. D. E. ThomasWhat proposals does the Minister have about the revenue consequences for the coming financial year for area health authorities in Wales of these new hospital expansion plans? Can he assure us that the result of building new hospitals will not be a reduction in the health care services outside the new district general hospitals?
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe hon. Gentleman knows that the Welsh Office takes care of the revenue consequences of opening a new hospital and gives the necessary financial support.