§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will call for a report into the decision and its implementation by Powys NHS trust whereby three elderly mentally handicapped women were moved from Brynhyfryd hospital to Llys Maldwyn hospital; and what assessment he has made as to whether the trust followed the community care guidelines and the all-Wales strategy for people with a learning difficulty.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 7 December 1994]: In accordance with the all-Wales mental handicap strategy, the number of residents at both Brynhyfryd and Llys Maldwyn hospitals is in decline. With the great majority of patients already resident in Llys Maldwyn, the Powys NHS trust decided to concentrate the nursing resources on 348W one site and transfer patients requiring permanent nursing care from Brynhyfryd hospital.
The trust board sought professional advice and was assured that there would be no adverse medical effects on their patients.
Following the transfer to Llys Maldwyn, the hospital's director of medical services and the chairman of Powys Health Care NHS trust have both visited the three patients concerned and have confirmed that they are all well and have settled in their new surroundings.
I have made clear that the patient's needs must be the overriding factor in determining where he or she receives care. I expect all trust and health authorities to be guided by this advice.