§ 9. Mr. TouhigTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he last met the chairman of the Gwent health commission to discuss health service provision in Gwent.
§ Mr. RichardsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales met all the health authority chairmen last Wednesday to discuss their proposals for improving services in the coming financial year. I shall be meeting the chairman of the Gwent health commission tomorrow.
§ Mr. TouhigIs the Minister aware that, in 1993–94, my constituents made 33,000 visits to the out-patient department of Royal Gwent hospital at Newport, some 15 miles away from Blackwood in the centre of my constituency? Is he further aware that the public consultation in the recently published Islwyn health plan showed that the Islwyn community's primary priority was the need for a neighbourhood hospital that would offer an out-patient facility and a minor casualty department? Indeed, the Conservative party candidate pledged his 552 support for that in the recent Islwyn by-election. Will the Minister join me in pressing the Gwent health commission to honour a pledge given in 1988, when the "Gwent 2000" document was published, to provide that facility, a pledge that was reiterated in 1992 when the neighbourhood health plan was published? Will he join me in pressing Gwent health commission to provide that hospital facility for Islwyn?
§ Mr. RichardsI welcome the hon. Gentleman to his first Welsh questions. I assure him that the easy ride that he had in his maiden speech will be a unique experience. I am delighted that 33,000 of his constituents were able to have first-class treatment at Royal Gwent hospital—long may it continue. I am sure, however, that the hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Glan Hafren NHS trust is developing a proposal with a view possibly to having a community hospital in Islwyn. My right hon. Friend and I look forward to seeing that proposal.