Answers to the Written Assembly Questions for answer on 16 October 2009

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

Contents

Questions to the Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy and Transport

Questions to the Minister for Health and Social Services

To ask the Minister for the Economy and Transport

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): How many miles of the M4 in Wales are under permanent speed restrictions of less than the national speed limit. (WAQ54980)

Answer issued on 22 October 2009

There are 2.63 miles of the M4 in Wales that have permanent 50 mph speed restrictions.

To ask the Minister for Health and Social Services

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): What financial assessment has the Welsh Assembly Government made of the impact of the Grogan Judgement and what is the projected cost for each LHB. (WAQ54975)

Answer issued on 19 October 2009

The Grogan judgment and the 2006 guidance which followed did not change the legal position on eligibility for Continuing NHS Health Care.

Continuing NHS Health Care spend is a very complex area. The increasing costs being experienced by LHBs are influenced by several factors including:  an increasingly ageing population, more individuals presenting with complex needs, improved survival rates for those with complex needs, the availability of community services including community hospitals and the number of continuing NHS health care beds in hospitals. In practice it is not possible to isolate the effect of any one factor on the pattern of spending.

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): Did Health Challenge Wales, prior to 1 October 2009, have a Financial Repayment Plans in place, and if it did a) what was the level of debt to be repaid, and b) how much has been repaid since the plan was put in place. (WAQ54976)

Answer issued on 14 October 2009

Health Challenge Wales has never had a 'Financial Repayment Plan’.

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): How many LHBs, prior to 1st October 2009, had Financial Repayment Plans in place, and for each of these LHBs  a) what was the level of debt to be repaid, and b) how much has been repaid since the plan was put in place. (WAQ54977)

Answer issued on 16 October 2009

The information is available in the NHS Wales Summarised Accounts 2008 -09 at Annex 4, Recovery of Accumulated LHB Overspends.  

Accessed at the following link:  

http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=139191&ds=8/2009

Jonathan Morgan (Cardiff North): How many Trusts (inc Ambulance Trust) prior to 1st October 2009, had Financial Repayment Plans in place, and for each of these a) what was the level of debt to be repaid, and b) how much has been repaid since the plan was put in place. (WAQ54978)

Answer issued on 16 October 2009

The information is available in the NHS Wales Summarised Accounts 2008-09 at Annex 4 Recovery of Trust Deficits and Strategic Assistance Post Reconfiguration.  Accessed at the following link:

http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-guide-docs-pub/bus-business-documents/bus-business-documents-doc-laid.htm?act=dis&id=139191&ds=8/2009

Jenny Randerson (Cardiff Central): When does the Minister plan to publish the Blood Borne Viral Hepatitis Action Plan for Wales. (WAQ54979)

Answer issued on 16 October 2009

The blood borne viral hepatitis action plan was published for consultation on the 1 April. The consultation closed on 22 July and the responses have been analysed. I shall announce the results of the consultation and decide on the way forward in the coming weeks.

Andrew RT Davies (South Wales Central): What were the key outcomes and lessons learnt from the Review into Leadership and Governance at Cardiff Local Health Board. (WAQ54981)

Answer issued on 15 October 2009

I refer you to my response dated 22 September.  The review identified a range of leadership and governance issues, which included managing complex relationships with partners, internal organisation of the Local Health Board, commissioning and clarity of roles within the management team.