§ 15. Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will approve the bid by South Glamorgan health authority significantly to raise the throughput capacity for major joint surgery at the Prince of Wales orthopaedic hospital, Rhydlafar.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettAdditional funding has been made available to the authority to increase the number of hip and knee replacement operations undertaken at the treatment centre. A bid to increase capacity at the hospital was not successful under the 1991–92 waiting times initiative.
§ 16. Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he proposes to have with the chairman of the South Glamorgan health authority concerning waiting lists for orthopaedic surgery.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettI met the chairman and consultant surgeons in May to discuss waiting lists in South Glamorgan. My officials are in regular contact with the chairman and the authority's managers and I will bear in mind the possible need for further meetings.