HC Deb 16 May 1990 vol 172 cc478-9W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list in theOfficial Report every hospital closure which has been approved by his Department between 3 May 1979 and 1 June 1987; and the date on which approval to close that hospital was given.

Mr. David Hunt

I will write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, pursuant to his reply of 9 May,Official Report, column 152–53, what factors account for the delay in sending formal notification to the authority of, and making a public announcement about, the closure of Caernarfon cottage hospital after the decision to close the hospital had been taken; when the chairman and general manager of Gwynedd health authority were told of his decision: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

Unfortunately, a typing error resulted in the date of approval of closure of the cottage hospital Caernarfon, being recorded as 20 March 1990 in my hon. Friend's answer when the correct date was 20 April 1990.I apologise for this mistake.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the original estimate in 1987 for the additional annual running costs at Bronygarth hospital, Penrhyndeudraeth, in order to accommodate the transfer to that hospital of services currently provided at Ysbyty Madog, Porthmadog; and what is his latest estimate of this additional annual running cost;

(2) what was the original estimated net capital cost, excluding sales value, of his closure of the Madog memorial hospital, Porthmadog and the transfer of facilities to Bronygarth hospital; and what is his latest estimate of this cost.

Mr. David Hunt

I refer the hon. Gentleman to my hon. Friend's reply of 14 May 1990 at column296.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much capital expenditure on buildings and equipment has been incurred at the cottage hospital, Caernarfon, since the beginning of the financial year 1984–85; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

I shall write to the hon. Gentleman and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the most recent available estimate of the net annual savings which will be achieved by Gwynedd health authority from the closure, respectively, of(a) Ysbyty Coffa Madog, Porthmadog, (b) Druid hospital, Llangefni, (c) Groesynyd hospital, Conwy, (d) Ysbyty Dewi Sant, Bangor, and (e) the cottage hospital, Caernarfon; and what will be the net annual savings achieved from each of these closures, respectively, in 1990–91, and 1991–92.

Mr. David Hunt

Following the issue of the Welsh Office's letters of 3 and 22 March 1989 which conveyed approval of Gwynedd health authority's proposals to close Madog memorial hospital, Druid hospital, Groesynyd hospital and St. David's hospital, Bangor, detailed issues relating to the closures are a matter for the health authority, subject to compliance with the relevant conditions set out in the letter of 3 March. The hon. Gentleman should therefore contact the health authority for further information.

I shall write to the hon. Gentleman about the cottage hospital, Caernarfon.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will review the decision of Gwynedd health authority to make a temporary closure of the gynaecology annexe ward at St. David's hospital, Bangor, and take steps to ensure that women awaiting childbirth do not have to share facilities with women awaiting termination of pregnancy.

Mr. David Hunt

Gwynedd health authority is to consider the temporary closure of the gynaecology annexe at its meeting on 21 May in the light of consultation with interested local bodies. Any concerns that the hon. Gentleman may have about the proposals should therefore be made known to Gwynedd health authority.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether Gwynedd health authority, in considering its hospital closure programme, followed the requirements of planning paper 5 on procedures for consultation on the closure and change of use of health buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Hunt

This issue was addressed in the letters of 3 March 1989 and 20 April 1990 from the Welsh Office to the general manager of the health authority, which were copied to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether the provisions of service planning paper 5 are mandatory on health authorities in Wales considering the closure or change of use of hospitals; and what action he takes if health authorities do not follow such provisions.

Mr. David Hunt

Service planning paper 5 sets out the guidance on the consultative procedures to be followed by health authorities when proposing to close or change the use of health buildings. My action in cases where authorities do not follow its provisions depends on the individual circumstances.