§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many open heart operations have been undertaken this year at the University hospital of Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettI understand from South Glamorgan health authority that 544 open heart operations were undertaken at the University hospital of Wales between 1 January and 30 November this year.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will provide the capital allocation his Department is making in the current financial year to enable South Glamorgan health authority to reach its target of open heart operations to be performed yearly at the University hospital of Wales as a regional service.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettAs part of the Department's continuing commitment to increasing the number of open heart operations per year capable of being achieved by the University hospital of Wales, capital allocations of approximately £1.2 million are being made available to South Glamorgan health authority in the current financial year for adult cardiac services and £1.5 million for paediatric cardiac services.
Work in the course of the current financial year to enhance cardiac service facilities at the University hospital of Wales has included upgraded catheter laboratories, additional intensive care facilities and a new paediatric cardiac unit at a cost to central funds of some £4 million. Our officials are currently discussing with South Glamorgan DHA further developments to ensure that targets are reached.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the cost to Clwyd health authority and South Glamorgan health authority of referring patients for open heart surgery outside Wales between 1 April and 31 October this year.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettI understand from Clwyd health authority that the cost of referrals between 1 April and 31 October this year was approximately £160,000 and from South Glamorgan health authority that the costs were in the region of £260,000.
§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the target date by which 120 open heart operations will be undertaken on children at the University hospital of Wales.
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§ Mr. Nicholas BennettBuilding work on the paediatric cardiac unit at the University hospital of Wales having been completed, the unit is being commissioned to come into service during 1991. The date by which capacity will be approached will depend upon the nature and timing of referrals.