Minister cannot hide behind last of the quangos in GP row

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Sep 2004

Health Minister Jane Hutt must show some leadership to resolve the row between health trusts and GPs to provide cover for community hospitals, says South East Wales AM Mike German.

Mr German met with doctors at Monmouth Community Hospital and representatives of Gwent Healthcare Trust to discuss the stand off last week. He believes that Health Minister Jane Hutt could and should be doing more to break the deadlock between the trusts and the doctors. And he fears that without action, the row could spread from Gwent and across Wales

Mike German, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in the Assembly, said: "Last year doctors in the Community Hospital in Monmouth were paid just £42,000. Arguably, that was not enough - this year they have been offered less than half, when 95% of the work in GP managed beds will still be done by them, and only 5% done out of hours. How can we expect a health service that meets the demands of today if we are not willing to pay for it?

"The Health Minister has not given clear direction to the NHS Trusts on this issue. While the Labour Assembly Government is getting rid of other quangos, on this issue the Minister is hiding behind the quangos that run our health service.

"Community hospitals play a vital role in the areas they serve, and people want their doctors to be taking clinical responsibility for them when they are in-patients. No-one wants to withdraw this cover. What we need is a minister prepared to take urgent action."