Written question asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 4 October 2004. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Monday, 4 October 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the proposals (a) to downgrade Battledown Children's Ward at Cheltenham General Hospital into a paediatric assessment unit and (b) for the removal of acute children's services to Gloucester.

Answer: Mr. Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the proposals (a) to downgrade Battledown Children's Ward at Cheltenham General Hospital into a paediatric assessment unit and (b) for the removal of acute children's services to Gloucester. [189539] Ms Rosie Winterton: I have made no such assessment. Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for commissioning appropriate levels of services for their communities. Cotswold and Vale PCT is leading a period of public consultation on the future of maternity care and services for children at home and in hospital across Gloucestershire.

Secondary information