§ Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many applications have been submitted by health service units in Wales to become NHS trusts in April 1993; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo date, formal applications have been received from 13 health service units seeking NHS trust status in 1993. In addition, a proposal to establish the South and East Wales Ambulance NHS Trust will be made formally within the next few days.
Details on the applications, together with the date of commencement of three months public consultation are for each health authority:
12 June 1992
- CLWYD
- Acute Unit North (Ysbyty Glan Clwyd)
- Acute Unit South (Wrexham Maelor hospital, Wrexham)
- Community and mental health unit
- GWENT
- South Gwent acute unit (Royal Gwent hospital, Newport)
- WEST GLAMORGAN
- West unit (Singleton hospital, Swansea)
19 June 1992
- EAST DYFED
- Carmarthen/Dinefwr health unit
- (West Wales general hospital, Carmarthen)
- Ceredigion health unit
- (Bronglais hospital, Aberystwyth)
- Llanelli/Dinefwr health unit
- (Prince Philip hospital, Llanelli)
- MID GLAMORGAN
- Ogwr health unit
- (Princess of Wales hospital. Bridgend)
- WEST GLAMORGAN
- East Unit (Neath and Port Talbot hospitals)
26 June 1992
- SOUTH GLAMORGAN
- Llandough health unit (Llandough hospital)
- POWYS
- Powys health unit
- GWENT
- Community and mental health unit
- Gwent, Powys and South Glamorgan ambulance services
No views have been reached on any of the applications. The purpose of the consultative exercise is to provide the fullest opportunity for local people and community interests, including staff at the hospitals and services concerned, to put forward their views on the specific proposals contained in the applications. Copies of the applications will be placed in the Library of the House in accordance with the consultative timetable.
I expect decisions on the application to be announced in the autumn. The outcome will reflect the representations received, taken alongside the individual merits of the applications themselves. Ministers are already on record with their commitment that no application will be approved unless they are personally convinced of the benefits to patients which will be derived from NHS trust status. This remains the position.