Figures show folly of force to the south

3.08.00pm GMT Thu 6th Mar 2008

Most patients in North Wales currently travel to England for surgery

Figures uncovered by the Welsh Liberal Democrats have shown the 'folly' of forcing north wales patients to travel to south Wales for neurosurgery. The statistics, obtained from the NHS have shown that 647 neuro-surgery patients form North Wales were treated in England in 2006/2007 compared to only 13 travelling to South Wales.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Jenny Randerson AM said: "These figures should force the government to rule out any compulsion for patients to travel to South Wales.

"Under 2% of neuro-surgery patients in the North went to South Wales, it is clear that almost all the time, the best clinical choices involve referring patients to nearby hospitals in England."

"It is high time that patients in North Wales were given peace of mind by the Minister, forcing them down to South Wales against all better clinical and common sense judgement would be criminal."

Notes:

1.

Table: Out of area episodes of neurosurgical care in 2006/07 for patients resident in North Wales

Trust 2006 07

Barts and The London NHS Trust

Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 1

Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 5

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust 6

Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust

Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust 2

Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1

North Bristol NHS Trust

Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust

Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, University Hospital

Royal Liverpool Childrens NHS Trust 108

Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust 15

Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 12

Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust 1

Swansea NHS Trust 7

Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 1

University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 4

University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust 5

University Hospitals Coventry And Warwickshire NHS Trust 1

Walton Centre For Neurology And Neurosurgery NHS Trust 491

Grand Total 660

Note: This table breaks down North Wales neurosurgery patients who have been treated in English Trusts. It includes patients who are resident in English Primary Care Trust areas but for whom HCW has commissioning responsibility.

Data obtained from the NHS Wales Business Service Centre.

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