‘Cross-border concerns’ over health services

Mar 10 2008 by Madeleine Brindley, Western Mail

CONCERNS have been raised that devolution is eroding cross-border health services.

Patients and politicians in Wales have said that access to English hospitals is being restricted because of “funding issues”.

The concerns come as a committee of MPs is looking into cross-border services, which also include transport and education.

Edward Narborough, who lives in Rhayader, Powys, has used an artificial limb service in Hereford for eight years, but he has now been told to go to Wrexham or Cardiff.

Mr Narborough, who has diabetes and had to have his leg amputated, told the BBC’s Politics Show in Wales, “I have now been told there is no longer funding available and that they cannot continue my care.

“If this is just the thin end of the wedge, that there is no funding available for my artificial limb service. Does it mean that cross-border services are going to disappear altogether for Welsh patients who live in the border area?”

Roger Williams, Brecon and Radnorshire MP, said, “There doesn’t seem to be very good co-ordination between Wales and England as far as health is concerned.”

David Jones, Conservative Clwyd West MP, said until recently patients from England were having cochlear implants in Glan Clwyd Hospital, while patients from Wales were refused the treatment because of funding problems.

But Christine Russell, the Labour MP for Chester, said she thought there was “some truth in the argument that English patients were actually subsidising Welsh patients”.

Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy said the NHS, a UK-wide service, should not be affected by cross-border issues.