HC Deb 15 January 1997 vol 288 cc291-2W
Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what specific action he has taken to eliminate bed blocking in north-east Wales; and if he will make a statement. [9962]

Mr. Gwilym Jones

This is a matter for local resolution by the health and local authorities concerned.

Mr. Barry Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what action he is taking to enable general practitioners in north Wales to obtain hospital emergency medical beds for frail elderly patients; and if he will make a statement. [9964]

Treatment centres-funding and number of cases 1995–96 activity
Health authority Treatment Centre
Bridgend ophthalmic Bridgend surgical Rhydlafar orthopaedic
Hips Knees Joint revisions
Procedures Funding Procedures Funding Procedures Funding Procedures Funding Procedures Funding
£ £ £ £ £
Clwyd 0 0 8 3,893 8 23,656 14 51,016 0 0
Dyfed 156 138,134 65 31,627 35 103,495 14 51,016 2 12,986
Gwent 235 208,087 158 76,879 29 85,753 23 83,812 8 51,944
Gwynedd 0 0 2 973 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mid
Glamorgan 445 394,036 541 263,237 31 91,667 21 76,524 7 45,451
Powys 11 9,740 1 487 8 23,656 4 14,576 2 12,986
South
Glamorgan 60 53,128 172 83,691 26 76,882 19 69,236 7 45,451
West
Glamorgan 173 153,187 113 54,983 23 68,011 12 43,728 5 32,465
Total 1,080 956,312 1,060 515,770 160 473,120 107 389,908 31 201,283

1996–97 current allocations
Health authority Treatment centre
Bridgend ophthalmic Bridgend surgical Rhydlafar orthopaedic1
Hips Knees Joint Revisions
Allocation Funding Allocation Funding Allocation Funding Allocation Funding Allocation Funding
£ £ £ £ £
North Wales 0 0 2 1,000 10 28,440 30 105,750 0 0
Dyfed Powys 200 175,226 93 46,495 31 88,164 19 66,975 12 77,916
Gwent 340 297,884 190 94,992 25 71,100 20 70,500 15 97,395

Mr. Gwilym Jones

The North Wales health authority has confirmed that for all categories of patient, emergency care remains the authority's highest priority and will have first call on the additional resources available to it during 1996–97.

The improved arrangements for forecasting and managing need in 1996–97 are working well.