§ Mr. RedmondTo as the Secretary of State for Wales what recent research his Department has commissioned in respect of a health survey for Wales, and if he will make a statement. [30478]
Mr. RichardThe Welsh health survey was launched at the end of April 1995. It is a postal survey using a sample of 50,000 of the adult population drawn from the electoral register, and is designed to provide an accurate picture of the health of the people of Wales, the way the NHS is used, and areas where services could be improved.
The main aim of the survey is to collect information on representative samples of the population with a range of illnesses and disabilities and information on comparable groups of healthy people, without using any medical records. The information will help those responsible for the NHS in Wales to develop services more finely attuned to the needs of the general population, to carry out further improvements in services, and to inform the development of the patients charter for Wales.
The results of the survey will be published towards the end of this year. Copies of the questionnaire have been placed in the Library of the House.