HC Deb 29 April 1991 vol 190 cc56-7W
17. Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will extend beyond April 1992 the funding by his Department of the special treatment centres for hip and knee replacements at Rhydlafar hospital, for hernias and varicose veins at Bridgend general hospital and for cataract surgery at Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

The existing treatment centres are already proving successful in providing speedy treatment for patients with key disabling complaints and are expected to remain an effective source of treatment under the recently introduced contracting arrangements. Decisions on future funding will be taken in the light of experience during 1991–92, but it is not intended that central funding should continue indefinitely.