HC Deb 22 April 1985 vol 77 cc604-5
3. Mr. Best

asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the provision of National Health Service facilities in Gwynedd.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr. Wyn Roberts)

Health services in Gwynedd have been much enhanced by the opening last year of Ysbyty Gwynedd. Substantial redevelopment started at Llandudno general hospital last week. A new subsidiary renal unit is being established and managed for the health authority by Travenol Laboratories. All these developments are being funded by the Welsh Office.

Gwynedd health authority's provisional revenue allocation for 1985–86 is £46.45 million. This represents growth of 4.7 per cent. over its 1984–85 allocation and includes the balance of the revenue costs of Ysbyty Gwynedd. Additionally, £991,000 has been allocated to it from capital funds for its discretionary use.

Mr. Best

My hon. Friend will know of the great concern felt by the people of Gwynedd over two issues. I refer first to the ambulance service and to the need for proper provision, given the particular problems of Gwynedd, where there are many remote rural areas. Will my hon. Friend say something about the funding for that? There has been a very good initiative from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State over the renal dialysis unit, but does my hon. Friend agree that it would be a cruel deception if the people of Gwynedd, who want it so much and who rely so heavily upon having such a unit, found that it did not come to pass?

Mr. Roberts

My hon. Friend asked about the ambulance service, and I assure him that the revenue resource allocation formula takes account of the district's topography. I understand that there is no case for a special allocation in respect of Gwynedd's ambulance service, but the matter is being considered by the resource allocations working group. It is looking at the effects of sparsity on the formula. There is no question but that the subsidiary renal dialysis unit will go ahead. A contract has been concluded between Travenol Laboratories and the health authority, and it is very much hoped that the unit will open this summer. Of course it will be very much to the benefit of NHS patients in Gwynedd.

Mr. Wigley

May I press the Minister further about the ambulance service? Is he aware that the pressures on it are very great and that some ambulances have done far more mileage than vehicles with such duties should do? Moreover, is he aware that the greater centralisation arising from the opening of Ysbyty Gwynedd puts greater pressure on the service? It is vital that there should be additional ambulance facilities. Will the Minister give that matter his urgent attention?

Mr. Roberts

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman is saying, but that is very much a matter for the resource allocations working group. That group comprises representatives of the Welsh Office and of every Welsh health authority. It is very much a matter for it.

Dr. Roger Thomas

Is the Minister satisfied with the cervical cytology recall system in Wales? When can we expect the system in that part of the world to be fully computerised?

Mr. Roberts

We are looking at the system as it operates in all the authorities in Wales. We have set up a special group, which is examining the matter. Whatever changes are required will be made. Of course, we look forward to computerisation.