Written question asked by Andrew Murrison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 12 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 January 2005. It was answered by Lord Hutton of Furness (Labour) on Thursday, 27 January 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has for the (a) budget, (b) location and (c) planned commencement of activities of the specialised burns services unit in the south west region; when the final decisions on a specialised burns services unit in the south west will be taken; what criteria his Department is using to determine the location of a specialist burns services unit in the south west; what plans he has for the reconfiguration of specialist burns services.

Answer: Dr. Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what plans he has for the (a) budget, (b) location and (c) planned commencement of activities of the specialised burns services unit in the south west region; [209197] (2) when the final decisions on a specialised burns services unit in the south west will be taken; [209198] (3) what criteria his Department is using to determine the location of a specialist burns services unit in the south west; [209199] (4) what plans he has for the reconfiguration of specialist burns services. [209200] Mr. Hutton: The national burn care group, which is considering options for reconfiguration of specialist burns services across England and Wales, is being led by the national health service. Decisions have not yet been made regarding the development of burn care centres; any proposals for change will be submitted to a full public consultation process, probably in the summer of 2005.

Secondary information