Dr. Roger Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will take steps to enable patients suffering from renal failure who travel several times a week to the renal unit at Cardiff to have their treatment at a centre in west Wales so as to avoid having to make such journeys.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsI have been giving the closest possible attention to the question how best to meet this undeniable need in west and south Wales, and I am glad to announce that I have ordered an immediate start on the detailed design of an eight-bed renal dialysis unit to be established at Morriston district general hospital, Swansea. This will greatly improve accessibility for patients from south-west Wales.
I have also instructed my officials further to evaluate the provision of additional subsidiary care centres in other parts of Wales.