§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what discussions he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the completion of treatment as in-patients for those presently undergoing treatment at the children's ward, Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar, near Cardiff, on or shortly after its announced closure date of 30 April;
(2) if he will issue guidelines to health authorities to which he has granted consent to close wards or hospitals not to implement those closures until the in-patients in situ have completed their in-patient treatment.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettAs the implementation of approved service changes is a matter for health authorities, I have not discussed the timing of the transfer of the children's orthopaedic service in South Glamorgan with the chairman of the district health authority. Nor do I have plans to issue any general guidance on this particular aspect of service planning.