§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the provision of renal services by the South Lancashire NHS Trust. [33953]
§ Mr. MilburnIt is for the health authority to decide the appropriate services for the local population. The health authority's strategy envisages development of a 'hub and spoke' model of care with the Royal Preston Hospital acting as the 'hub' for most areas of Lancashire and South Cumbria, the exception being the West Lancashire part of the District where it is envisaged that the Royal Liverpool Hospital would continue to act as the 'hub'.
Although implementation of many of the recommendations of the strategy are subject to available resources and competing priorities, the clinical needs of patients will be given priority.