NHS Trusts (Hansard, 19 November 1993)

§ Mr. Gwilym Jones

There are currently 14 operational NHS trusts in Wales. I have received 12 applications from hospitals, community units and the ambulance service to become NHS trusts from April 1994. Public consultation on 10 of the applications ended on 20 September.

In the light of the representations received, and taking account the individual merits of each application, I have decided to establish a further eight NHS trusts to become operational from next April. The details are:

Gwynedd Health Authority

Gwynedd Acute Unit (Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor)
Gwynedd Community Unit

Gwent Health Authority

North Gwent Unit (Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny)

Mid Glamorgan Health Authority

Rhondda Health Unit (Llwynypia Hospital)

South Glamorgan Health Authority

Velindre Hospital

East Dyfed Health Authority

Mental Health Unit (St. David's Hospital, Carmarthen)

Ambulance Service

North Wales Ambulance Service (Clwyd and Gwynedd)
Mid Glamorgan Ambulance Service

The orders giving effect to my decisions have been signed today. The trusts will be formally established on 1 December, with an operational date of 1 April 1994. I will announce shortly the details on the chairmen and non-executive directors of the new NHS trusts.

I have deferred a decision on the joint proposal from the East Dyfed and West Glamorgan ambulance services, pending a revised submission next year for trust status from April 1995. In the meantime, the host health authorities have been invited to integrate the two services. This further year should enable the merged service to demonstrate more clearly how the main criteria for trust status will be met.

The application from the Rhymney valley unit, Mid Glamorgan, has been rejected. I am not convinced that the proposals fully meet the criteria and, in particular, that patients would benefit from the move to trust status. In the light of my decision, it will be for the unit, in conjunction with the health authority, to consider how best to meet the health needs of local communities in the Rhymney valley.

Morriston hospital north unit in West Glamorgan and Taff Ely unit, Mid Glamorgan, have also applied for NHS trust status from April 1994. Both applications are currently subject to three months' public consultation. I expect to announce the outcome early in 1994.

This announcement today means that, from April 1994, some 85 per cent. of acute services and 80 per cent. of community services in Wales will be delivered by NHS trusts.

Elsewhere in Wales, I have invited the University hospital of Wales, the dental hospital and the community services unit, all from South Glamorgan, to prepare formal applications to become NHS trusts from April 1995. However, the invitations are without prejudice to decisions which I may be called upon to take on the authority's strategic plan on the future pattern of health services in South Glamorgan. The plan remains the subject of separate consultation by the authority at this stage.

The community services unit will focus on the Greater Cardiff area and the Llandough hospital NHS trust will be encouraged to extend its current range of patient care to include community and mental health services in the vale of Glamorgan.

Applications for 1995 trust status will need to be submitted in the early summer of 1994. No decisions will be reached until the consultative process has been completed. An invitation to prepare an application carries no commitment that an application will be approved and the decision whether to apply is entirely a matter for the hospital, community unit or ambulance service concerned.