§ Mr. Jon Owen JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the need for primary legislation in order to implement the recommendations of the Review of Health and Social Care in Wales advised by Derek Wanless; and whether his Department has had discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government about implementing the four options proposed by the Review to solve the problem of bed-blocking. [126460]
§ Mr. TouhigI have regular meetings with the Assembly Minister for Health, Jane Hutt AM, during which she updates me on health policy initiatives launched by her Administration.
I am aware that the Assembly will be publishing a detailed response and action plan in the autumn and it is therefore premature to comment on implementing the recommendations of the Report before then. I welcome Jane Hutt's announcement of an additional £4 million to tackle the immediate problems in the review, namely delayed discharges and alternatives to hospital admission. This money will be channelled through the Local Health Boards where all health and social care interests are represented.