§ 18. Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the future of hospital services in Cardiff.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesOur officials are in close touch with the authority about its strategic plan and my right hon. Friend expects to be in a position to consider it in the spring of next year.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the recommendation to the health authority at its meeting of 16 July that(a) all accident and emergency services and (b) all paediatric hospital services should be moved to the University hospital of Wales, the Heath, Cardiff; what assessment he has made of the need to review his acceptance of the authority's 10-year strategic plan; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what consultations he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the withdrawal of the third district general hospital from the authority's 10-year strategy;
(3) what consultations he has had with the vice-chair of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the date of review of the South Glamorgan health authority 10-year strategic plan.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe health authority was asked in 1989 to review its strategic plan. The outcome is likely to be submitted to my right hon. Friend before Christmas. Until then, the proposals in the plan are a matter for the authority; and my right hon. Friend has not consulted the chairman or vice-chairman of the authority on any aspect of this issue, though naturally officials are in close touch.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects to appoint a new chair of the South Glamorgan health authority; if he will advertise the post; and what proposals he has to ensure the appointing procedure achieves compliance with equal opportunities legislation and principles.
§ Mr. David HuntOn 23 July I announced the appointment of Mr. Ian Grist as chairman of South126W Glamorgan district health authority for a four-year term commencing on 1 August 1992. Public appointments are not normally filled as a consequence of advertising. All public appointments are made irrespective of sex on the basis of aptitude and merit.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is his latest estimate of the date for decision on the application for waiting list initiative capital approval by South Glamorgan health authority for a third orthopaedic operating theatre at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar at Cardiff.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesI announced on 6 October an allocation of £94,350 to support the development by South Glamorgan health authority of a third operating theatre at the Prince of Wales hospital.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consultation he has had with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning the suspension on full pay of the unit general manager of the Cardiff royal group of hospitals.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesMy right hon. Friend has had no consultations with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority on this matter. This is an internal management issue for the authority.