§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on his policy on respite care consequent upon the reform of local government. [26968]
626W
Children of school age (5 to 15) killed or injured on Welsh roads 1993 1994 1995 Killed Injured Total casualties Killed Injured Total casualties Killed Injured Total casualties Clwyd Alyn and Deeside — 52 52 — 48 48 — 65 65 Colwyn — 47 47 — 50 50 1 50 51 Delyn — 52 52 2 39 41 — 65 65 Glyndwr — 40 40 — 20 20 1 29 30 Rhuddlan 3 48 51 — 34 34 — 58 58 Wreham Maelor — 59 59 — 158 158 — 63 63 Clwyd total 3 298 301 2 349 351 2 330 332 Dyfed Carmarthen — 37 37 — 45 45 — 28 28 Ceredigion 1 37 38 — 45 45 1 39 40
§ Mr. RichardsOur policy on respite care remains the same. It is for local authorities, health authorities and GP fundholders to determine and meet the needs for respite care in their areas.
Nearly £150 million is available to Welsh local authorities for community care, including respite care, in 1996–97. It is for those authorities to manage their resources to provide the care their local people need.
The chief nursing officer and chief medical officer are also leading an initiative to improve palliative health care in Wales. One of the aims of the initiative is to ensure that everybody in Wales has access to an equally high standard of palliative care, including respite care for both patients and carers.