Clause 3 - Functions of the Centre
Health (Wales) Bill
5:45 pm
Mr Chris Grayling (Epsom and Ewell, Conservative)
If there is an individual case, I stand to be corrected. I should remind the hon. Gentleman, however, that there has been an established slate mining industry in other parts of the country; most notably in the peak district. It would surprise me, therefore, if his constituents' experience was limited wholly and exclusively to his part of Wales. It may have suffered more than any other part of the UK, and different areas will always be affected differently. However, I should be astonished if any complaint was wholly and exclusively limited to Wales, even though some complaints are more significant there. I fully accept the hon. Gentleman's point about his constituency experience, but when he hears the full details of my argument, he will see that that one case does not prove that I am wrong.
Health services cross borders. I mentioned that the Association of Welsh Community Health Councils had embarked on a project to assess the level of service provided by English health organisations to Welsh patients in the cross-border region. In the areas around Chester and, indeed, right the way up the border, there will inevitably be crossovers involving people who live in Wales and the English health service, as well as people who live in England and the Welsh health service. Several years ago, a significant issue arose right on the border, in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for Leominster, where a
hospital closure had undoubted implications for both communities.