Ambulance NHS Trusts

HC Deb 26 February 1998 vol 307 cc321-2W

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement about the development of ambulance NHS trusts in Wales. [31836]

Mr. Win Griffiths

There are currently five NHS trusts in Wales providing ambulance services.

My right hon. Friend and I have consulted on proposals for a single ambulance trust, incorporating all of the current ambulance services, to be established from April 1998. Public consultation on the proposals ended on 27 January 1998.

Taking full account of the many representations received, and of the individual merits of bringing the services together, I am today announcing our decision to approve the merger. The 4 existing ambulance NHS trusts will be dissolved on 1 April 1998. The Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust will immediately be established also incorporating the Pembrokeshire Ambulance Service. The Chairman of the new Trust will be Mr. Eifion Pritchard, recently retired Deputy Chief Constable of Dyfed Powys Police.

A list of those organisations and individuals that responded to the public consultation, detailing their views, has been placed in the Library of the House.