15. Mr. Gwilym Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received since his announcement on 19 January about bone marrow transplantation and cardiology and cardiac surgery at the University hospital of Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI have received no direct representations from district health authorities or the general public. I have seen seven copies of a letter which the secretary of the leukaemia research appeal for Wales in Caerphilly has sent to Welsh Members and to the Welsh Office's chief medical officer; I have also answered during the past week 11 parliamentary questions from the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies).
Mr. JonesDespite some suggestions to the contrary, I feel that my right hon. Friend's statement in answer to my question on 19 January has been widely welcomed throughout Wales. On the subject of cardiology and cardiac surgery, will my hon. Friend expand on the significance of this extra funding for the NHS?
§ Mr. RobertsMy hon. Friend is, of course, referring to the announcement about the development of cardiothoracic facilities at the Heath hospital, Cardiff. The existing facilities for cardiology at Llandough hospital will be transferred to the Heath site to provide a single integrated unit. The capacity of that unit will increase from 500 operations per year to approximately 1,100 operations per year. It is proposed that more money be set aside for the needs of the existing unit for services in 1984–85, and the detailed planning is starting now.
Mr. Ron DaviesIf there is no disquiet which the Minister has been able to recognise concerning the establishment of the bone marrow transplant unit, can he explain why on 25 January the consultant haematologist at the University hospital of Wales wrote to the chief administrative officer raising a number of queries, and explaining to the chief administrative officer his reservations about the timetable?
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsAs I said in my answer to the question, the concern appeared to be limited to the area of Caerphilly, represented by the hon. Gentleman. The bone marrow transplant unit has been developed very quickly, which I am sure many people will welcome. It was only in October last year that the relevant United Kingdom committee decided that bone marrow transplants should be carried out on a regional basis. The Welsh Office has moved very fast. I know the views of the consultant concerned, but he is not the only person to express a medical opinion. We were bound to come to the decision that we have reached, to phase in the increase in treatment over a two-year period.