§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans are in hand for an expansion of facilities at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Monmouthshire, in view of the needs of the area and the population it serves; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EnnalsIn the period up to 1971–72 the Welsh Hospital Board propose to carry out three schemes which will improve the outpatient facilities, provide residential accommodation and new X-ray facilities together with a multi-discipline training unit. Thereafter, they hope to put in hand a major scheme for the provision of 240 additional hospital beds with intensive therapy unit, additional operating theatres, pathology department and pharmacy.
§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the extent of the waiting list at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, Monmouthshire; and how this compares with similar hospitals in Wales and in relation to the catchment areas served.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe in-patient waiting list at 31st December, 1968, was 2,636. Comparison with other hospitals is difficult as catchment areas of individual hospitals are not defined, but the number of patients waiting admission per thousand population in the Newport and East Monmouthshire Group is higher than the average for Wales.