§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the closure of all south Wales hospitals for emergency medical admissions on Monday 8 January. [8735]
§ Mr. HagueWhile under heavy pressure following a period of severe weather and high levels of staff sickness, hospitals in south Wales coped with the demand for emergency treatment, and I understand that no patient requiring emergency care was refused admission on 8 January. I thank all the dedicated staff involved for their commitment and effort during a difficult period.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will carry out a review of the availability of emergency medical admission beds in Welsh hospitals; if he will arrange that such a review covers the impact of influenza, bronchitis and other conditions on staff and patients and the seasonal pattern thereof; and what allowance should be made for such peaks and troughs in calculating the overall supply of medical emergency beds. [8742]
§ Mr. HagueMy officials met leading NHS managers and clinicians on 7 December to assess the extent and possible causes of the increasing pressure on acute hospitals posed by the rise in emergency medical admissions. It was agreed that the NHS should develop as a matter of urgency an effective response to these pressures, both in the short and long term. An action plan was agreed before Christmas.
NHS representatives are meeting on 17 January to review the way in which the service responded to the unusual set of pressures faced over the Christmas and early new year period, and to consider in the light of this experience whether the existing action plan needs to be revised.
I will he receiving a copy of their report and will continue to monitor the position on emergency admissions very closely indeed.