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Limbless Persons

Volume 940: debated on Friday 2 December 1977

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asked the Secretary of State for Wales if he is satisfied with progess being made toward the provision of a new centre for treatment and assistance to limbless persons in South Wales; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he is satisfied with the provision of artificial limb and appliance facilities in Wales, and in particular in the county of West Glamorgan; and if he will make a statement;(2) whether he will make a statement on improved limb appliance facilities for West Glamorgan.

Progress is being made as quickly as possible towards the provision of two new purpose-built artificial limb and appliance centres in South Wales to replace the existing centres in Cardiff and Swansea. Our intention is to build one in the grounds of Rookwood Hospital, Llandaff, Cardiff, and one on the site chosen for the new Morriston Hospital, Swansea. Work on the new centre at Morriston will proceed independently and in advance of work on the hospital project.There are certain legal problems relating to the use of land at Rookwood which need to be resolved before detailed planning and design work can proceed. Detailed planning and design work is already under way for the centre at Morriston with a view to a start on building early in 1979 and completion in early 1980.I attach great importance to the quality of service that is provided both at Cardiff and at Swansea. The buildings are far from ideal. In Cardiff improvements have been carried out during the last two years. I have been much concerned about conditions in the Swansea centre pending the move to Morriston. A programme of redecoration, refurbishing and structural alterations has already been drawn up and work is starting this weekend. It will proceed as rapidly as possible without disrupting the day-to-day service to patients. Whilst I recognise that the improvements will not remove all the shortcomings I hope they will make conditions better for users of the centre.