§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure that no Welsh health authority implements a decision to close a geriatric hospital on a temporary basis without full consultation with the appropriate county social services department and voluntary organisations;
(2) if he will make it his policy to treat all proposed temporary hospital closures in South Glamorgan as though they were proposals for permanent hospital closures, for the purpose of the consultation procedure laid down.
§ Mr. GristWe have no plans to change the present policy in respect of hospital closures in this context. This recognises that temporary closures can be part of the day-to-day management of the resources of a health authority and an issue for local decision. None the less, any such closure amounting to a substantial change in service is subject to such advance consultation as is reasonably possible with the relevant community health council. We would always expect health authorities to give full and careful consideration to the needs of patients when making alternative provision for them.