§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he met Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub to discuss the future of Harefield Hospital; and if he will make a statement. [63267]
§ Mr. MilburnMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub on Tuesday 1 December 1998 to talk about services in West London 257W and the regulation of clinical perfusionists. The Department recognises and pays tribute to the work undertaken by Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub and his colleagues at Harefield Hospital. My right hon. Friend gave Sir Magdi his assurance of the Government's determination not to allow planning blight to set in while the longer term reconfiguration of services was considered. The consequences of any reconfiguration of services would be properly explored. Any service changes at Harefield Hospital will be subject to full public consultation.