§ Mr. RichardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the status of the planned merger between Gwynedd and Clwyd health authorities' ambulance services; and what estimate he has made of the effect of the merger on services for the region.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesArrangements for the statutory provision of ambulance services is a matter for health authorities locally, which have decided that, as from 1 April 1993, the existing ambulance services of Gwynedd and Clwyd will combine to form a north Wales ambulance service.
The health authorities' decision followed a detailed examination by the NHS Wales value for money unit of the costs and benefits of amalgamating the two services which suggested that significant benefits could result.
Welsh Office guidance to health authorities issued on 17 June 1992 gave the view that provision of ambulance services in Wales is likely to be made more efficient and cost effective and, therefore, the standard of patient care is likely to be improved through service amalgamations on a multi-district basis. I would expect the effect of the merger in Gwynedd and Clwyd to accord with this.