National Health Service

HC Deb 18 January 1988 vol 125 cc538-9W

21. Mr. Livsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the state of the National Health Service in Wales.

Mr. Peter Walker

My recently announced plans for further increases in expenditure next year will take NHS spending in Wales to £1,173.1 million. That represents a real terms increase of over 39 per cent. since 1978–79 which means that expenditure upon the NHS in Wales stands at record levels in both cash and real terms. This, together with the introduction of improved management arrangements are the drive for increased efficiency, has led to increased numbers of staff, major improvements in services and an increased emphasis on health promotion. Wales has an expanding health service and will continue to have one.