§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what provision is being made for capital and revenue expenditure for the development of the bone marrow transplant unit at the Heath hospital, Cardiff, for each of the years 1983–84, 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsFunding for 1983–84 is by South Glamorgan health authority. Funding as a regional service will be £100,000 for 1984–85, £200,000 for 1985–86 and £300,000 each year thereafter.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales when he expects the bone marrow transplant unit at the Heath hospital, Cardiff, to be able to function independently of help from the London centres for such treatment.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe unit functions independently of the London centres now.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what are the reasons for the ban on bone marrow transplants at the Heath hospital, Cardiff, before April 1984.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThis is a matter for South Glamorgan health authority, to whom the hon. Gentleman should address his question.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what steps he is taking to ensure that at least 12 bone marrow transplants can be carried out at the Heath hospital, Cardiff, by 1985–86.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsMy right hon. Friend has already announced that funds will be available to achieve this target. Minor capital works will be carried out, and the necessary recruitment and training of staff will be undertaken.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales which organisations or individuals he consulted prior to his recent announcement on the establishment of a bone marrow transplant unit at the Heath hospital, Cardiff.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe decision was based on an appraisal of existing facilities and of need. Formal consultation was not necessary.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales how many representations he has received concerning his recent announcement on the establishment of a bone marrow transplant unit at the Heath hospital, Cardiff; and if he will place copies of such representations in the Library.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsTo date we have received six separate copies of one letter from the Leukaemia Research546W Appeal for Wales. Since all six came from right hon. and hon. Members, it seems superfluous to place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what is his estimate of the number of patients in Wales likely to require bone marrow transplant treatment for each of the years 1984–1990; and how many of these patients per year he expects to receive treatment at the bone marrow transplant unit at the Heath hospital, Cardiff.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsAbout 20 a year. The capacity for at least six a year will be available at the University hospital Wales in 1984–85, about 12 to 14 in 1985–86 and 20 in 1986–87.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales if the funds earmarked for the development of the bone marrow transplant unit at the Heath hospital, Cardiff, during 1983–84 and 1984–85 are additional to, or part of, the original allocation of the National Health Service budget for Wales.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsAs part of the Health Service, the bone marrow transplant unit is financed from the Health Service budget.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what services, provision or development in the Heath hospital, Cardiff, have been delayed, deferred or cancelled to release funds for the development of the bone marrow transplant unit.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsNone.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what provision exists at the moment for patients from Mid-Glamorgan requiring bone marrow transplants; and what steps he intends to take to improve such provision.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsI refer the hon. Gentleman to replies I have given him to other questions on bone marrow transplant today, which apply equally to Mid-Glamorgan.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Wales what criteria are, and will be, used for the selection of patients for bone marrow transplants at the Heath hospital, Cardiff; and what treatment will be available for those patients requiring such treatment but not selected.
§ Mr. Wyn RobertsThe criteria for treatment are a matter for clinical decision. Treatment will as now be available in London and other centres for patients from Wales; the enhanced facilities in Cardiff will help provide a greater capacity than exists at present.