Answers issued to Members on 3 April 2009

[R] signifies that the Member has declared an interest.
[W] signifies that the question was tabled in Welsh.

Contents

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on the number of consultant psychiatry vacancies there are in Wales? (WAQ53877)

The Minister for Health and Social Services (Edwina Hart): The whole-time equivalent number of vacancies that have been vacant for three months or more can be found on the Welsh Assembly Government 'StatsWales’ site.

http://www.statswales.wales.gov.uk/ReportFolders/reportfolders.aspx (within the Health and Care>NHS Staffing folders)

Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire): Will the Minister make a statement on developing the dialysis unit service in the county of Powys? (WAQ53880)

Edwina Hart: Following an all-Wales prioritisation exercise facilitated by the Renal Advisory Group and Renal Networks on 6 January 2009, new dialysis provision for Powys was confirmed as a priority. An option appraisal will now follow to consider various locations and configurations for the new capacity in Powys, and Welshpool will be one of the options considered. This option appraisal will inform a business case which will be submitted to the Assembly Government by September 2009.