§ Lord Stoddart of Swindonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What effect the closure of the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wroughton, or of any other defence medical establishment in Wiltshire will have on health facilities in the county, and what consultation has been undertaken with the local health authorities and the public, and with what result.
§ Baroness CumberlegeMy right honourable and learned friend the Secretary of State for Defence has issued a consultation document about the reshaping of the armed forces medical services, including a proposal to close Princess Alexandra Hospital, Wroughton, to which health authorities and the public have been free to respond. The results of that consultation are being studied by his department.
Closure of Princess Alexandra Hospital would mean that some National Health Service patients currently treated in that hospital would be treated in local NHS hospitals and services. Preliminary estimates are that these represent well under 10 per cent. of NHS patients in the Swindon catchment area requiring secondary care. The impact on primary care services is likely to be minimal.
No other defence medical establishments in Wiltshire are currently proposed for closure.
The NHS will work closely with the Ministry of Defence to ensure that services to patients will be maintained in the event of any closures.