§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to introduce a national ambulance service for Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe formation of a single, all-Wales ambulance service is one of four options for change which are canvassed in Welsh health circular WHC(92)57, issued by the Welsh Office on 17 June 1992. A copy of that circular has been placed in the Library of the House.
However, it is not the preferred option. For reasons which are explained, it is the alternative of reducing the number of services through multi-district amalgamations which is commended to health authorities.
The circular asks authorities to examine whether such amalgamations will realise improvements in services' efficiency and cost-effectiveness and therefore in the standard of patient care they are able to offer. Their findings are to be reported to the Welsh Office by 30 September 1992.
§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the average cost per head of the population of the ambulance service in Powys; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesLatest available information is for 1990–91 when the net cost per head of population of ambulance services in Powys was £20.