HC Deb 22 February 1990 vol 167 c882W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his reply of 7 February,Official Report, column 706, if he will seek a further assurance from the chairman of the North Western regional health authority about expediting a reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe of 16 January to the chairman of the North Western regional health authority about the urgent problems facing the regional cardiac unit, raised with the right hon. Member by all the consultant cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at Wythenshawe hospital.

Mr. Freeman

I understand that Mr. Bruce Martin, chairman of the North Western regional health authority replied on 21 February 1990 to the letter of 16 January 1990 from the right hon. Member.

Mr. Churchill

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will open discussions with the South Manchester and Trafford health authorities to explore the possibility of a rationalisation of Wythenshawe hospital's services in conjunction with Trafford general hospital rather than Withington hospital.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

It is for the North Western regional health authority to consider, with South Manchester district health authority and other district authorities affected, the proposals made by the South Manchester authority to rationalise acute and priority services at the Wythenshawe and Withington hospitals. The regional health authority is well aware of the contribution that Wythenshawe hospital makes to the hospital care of residents in South Trafford, and it should certainly take account of this in considering any proposals for significant change made by the South Manchester district health authority.