§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospitals have been closed in Wales since 1997. [150527]
§ Mr. TouhigI have been asked to reply.
Approximately one third of the NHS Wales estate is over 50-years-old. It is generally accepted that the technological developments which are driving forward medical and clinical advances, and the demands for better patient environments are best accommodated by modern, purpose built facilities. In order to achieve this, NHS Wales has disposed of 30 healthcare properties (i.e. those with overnight beds) over the period from April 1997 to March 2003. Receipts from these disposals are reinvested in the modernisation process and have contributed to a total spend of £667million over the same period.