HC Deb 17 June 1996 vol 279 c365W
Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what proposals he has for the reorganisation of ambulance trusts in Wales; what public access there is to the plans; what are the main proposals; and if he will make a statement. [32766]

Mr. Hague

None. I would expect any proposals for trust reconfigurations to come from the boards themselves with the full support of their commissioning authorities. If such proposals are received, the application document would be subject to public consultation and a copy placed in the Library of the House.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to amalgamate ambulance services in Powys with Powys NHS Healthcare trust; and if he will make a statement. [32767]

Mr. Hague

None. These are operational matters for the NHS.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to close ambulance stations in powys; and if he will make a statement. [32768]

Mr. Hague

None. This is an operational matter for the South and East Wales Ambulance NHS trust.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on proposals to reduce operational manning levels by the South and East Wales Ambulance trust. [32769]

Mr. Hague

This is an operational matter for the board of trust which will be discussed with the Department in the context of the 1996–97 operational plan.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the financial situation of the South and East Wales Ambulance trust. [32770]

Mr. Hague

All NHS trusts in Wales publish their annual report and accounts in September each year. My officials have had a number of discussions with the chairman about the work he is doing to put the trust on a firm financial footing. The trust will continue to provide monthly financial progress reports to the Department as part of the regular monitoring process.

Mr. Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what was the total amount spent on consultancy fees by the South and East Wales Ambulance trust for the last two financial years for which figures are available. [32771]

Mr. Hague

Expenditure by the trust on external contract staffing and consultancy services is shown in its audited accounts for the following years as:

  • 1993–94: £ Nil
  • 1994–95: £123,000

The audited accounts for 1995–96 are not yet available.