HC Deb 20 January 1992 vol 202 cc6-7
7. Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will indicate how many hospitals in Wales have applied for NHS trust status.

Mr. David Hunt

The Pembrokeshire national health service trust will become operational on 1 April 1992. Last month I announced that applications had been invited from 14 units for NHS trust status in April 1993.

Mr. Alex Carlile

Will the Secretary of State explain to me, and to my puzzled constituents, what is the point of Powys health authority's applying for trust status, given that the entity which now constitutes the health authority would also constitute the trust? Will he also tell us what the cost of a transfer to trust status would be? A Welsh Office official was unable to answer that question at a recent conference in Llandrindod Wells. Finally, will the right hon. Gentleman explain what the trust could do that the district health authority, under its present management, could not?

Mr. Hunt

There has been a positive move towards NHS trust status in Wales. It now seems likely that 65 per cent. of acute services could be trust-based by April 1993. Powys health unit has been invited to prepare an application for trust status in April 1993. Like the unit in Pembrokeshire, it has done that because it believes that it can satisfy the Secretary of State on four points: first, that such a move would show benefits for patients; secondly, that it would improve management capability; thirdly, that clinicians would be involved in management; and, fourthly, that the trust has a future of financial soundness. Only if it had been clearly demonstrated to me that trust status would involve a positive move in that direction would I allow such status to be assumed. There is, of course, no question of allowing any trust to leave the national health service.

Mr. Gareth Wardell

In view of the clear directive contained in the document "Caring for People" that the Government expect health providers to set up NHS nursing homes, will the Secretary of State give a commitment that there will be health providers in Wales, and that trusts will establish such homes?

Mr. Hunt

It is very much for the providers to determine the future picture. I believe that, in regard to care in the community, we in Wales are leading the way. Many other parts of the United Kingdom view our progress with some envy. As the hon. Gentleman will know, the local joint authorities—including the local authority, the health authority and the other key partners—are currently drawing up local plans for delivering services to the local community.

Mr. Burns

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the national health service management reforms, with the forthcoming trust status and record amounts of money being spent on the health service in Wales, will enable the health service there to build upon its success of treating record numbers of patients?

Mr. Hunt

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. If one compares 1979 with today, 34 per cent. more in-patients are being treated in Wales, and the number of day cases is up 227 per cent. Record numbers of patients have been treated, with record funding. I pay tribute to all those who work in the national health service in Wales for having achieved these outstanding results.