Appeal's Chairman Demands Action not Further Discussion

The Noah's Ark Appeal's Chairman, G Stanley Thomas, is delighted to learn of the public and political support for the Children's Hospital for Wales but declares that 'the time for discussions is over' and that urgent action is needed to complete the second phase of the hospital.


31 July 2007

Dear Sir/Madam

I was delighted to learn of the full support Jenny Randerson AM gives the Children’s Hospital, detailed in her letter to the Western Mail (21/8) and the support of Nick Bourne (2/8). A further letter from David Gwynfor Samuel (Western Mail 21/8) echoes the sentiments of the public at large.

As Chairman of the Noah’s Ark Appeal, Lyn Jones, Dr Roger Verrier Jones and I have listened on several occasions to previous Health Ministers and often discussed with Rhodri Morgan the need to complete the Children’s Hospital for Wales.

The time for further discussions is over. Jenny Randerson has asked for a meeting with current Health Minister Edwina Hart; Ms Randerson will, I am sure, receive the same response as we have received from her predecessors – promises, promises, promises.

The truth is the Welsh Assembly Government holds the purse strings for all health trusts and local health boards in Wales. The First Minister, Mr Rhodri Morgan, has the power to pass additional funding requirements for these bodies.

If Rhodri Morgan, the Labour Leader, does not have the sufficient funds then he should go to his own Labour Government in London and request additional funding for this essential project. I am sure that he has sufficient political gravitas to successfully obtain these funds and ensure that at last we have a fully completed Children’s Hospital for Wales.

The Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has already stated that one of his main priorities is the health of the nation; here is an opportunity to show the people of Wales that he means what he says.

Scotland has four children’s hospitals, Northern Ireland one; England more than a dozen, one in every major city – Wales is still without a completed children’s hospital. The generosity of the people of Wales raised more than £10 million to build phase one and they will not accept a down-graded phase two in order to save money. Our children are worth more.


Yours sincerely


Sir Stanley Thomas OBE; OStJ
Chairman
The Noah’s Ark Appeal