§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will commission a study into the location of future geriatric patient care facilities in towns and cities in Wales, from the point of view of convenience of access to(a) patients, (b) relatives and friends and (c) medical staff.
§ Mr. GristNo. While the Government place great emphasis on responding effectively to local health needs and preferences, and to being people-centred, the detailed planning and development of services is a matter for individual district health authorities in consultation with other key local interests.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will institute a fire and public safety review of day patient geriatric care wards of wooden construction in actual or prospective use in Wales.
§ Mr. GristOperational responsibility for fire and public safety rests with individual district health authorities which are expected to comply with Firecode, a comprehensive code of guidance on fire precautions in NHS premises issued in 1988 by the Welsh Office. As part of its monitoring function the Department will shortly be asking DHAs to review their compliance with Firecode.
If, in the meantime, the hon. Gentleman is concerned about fire or public safety at a particular hospital, I suggest that he contact the appropriate health authority general manager as a matter of urgency. If he believes that there is a more general problem he should write to me more specifically on the matter.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to institute an analysis and review of the staffing qualifications and training of medical and paramedical staff involved in geriatric patient care in the hospital service in South Glamorgan.
§ Mr. GristNo. These matters are the operational responsibility of South Glamorgan health authority.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to meet a deputation concerning the future quality of geriatric patient care in South Glamorgan.
§ Mr. GristI understand that South Glamorgan health authority is proposing to consult on changes to geriatric services in the district. I suggest that the hon. Gentleman should ensure that his views on these proposals are made known to the authority at this stage.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what representations he has received regarding the future of St. David's hospital, Cardiff;
445W(2) what representations he has received regarding the future provision of geriatric patient care in South Glamorgan.
§ Mr. GristMy right hon. Friend has not received any such representations since approving the broad thrust of South Glamorgan health authority's draft strategic plan.