Threatened closures of Accident and Emergency services
Posted by Lee Scott, MP for Ilford North, at 17:18, Wed 6 December 2006:
It is the financial deficits in the NHS that are driving the threatened closures in A&E services. Up to 29 A&E departments currently face closure yet the Government has not disclosed on what basis they have made the selection of proposed closures. I believe that they need to recognise that patients and members of the public have a right to know why these closure decisions are being made.
Ministers cannot go on claiming than a desire to improved patient care is driving the cutting of A&E departments. They need to be honest enough to admit that central bureaucratic mismanagement is causing it.
Financial and staffing issues do need to be taken into account when designing NHS services, but so must the issues of patient safety and access. In too many areas, savage NHS cuts are being claimed to be measures designed to improve patient care.
At Prime Ministers questions on 6th December I asked Mr Blair to make a clear commitment to protect services at both King George’s and at Whipps Cross Hospitals. In a reply containing only pointless statistics and meaningless political point scoring the Prime Minister let down the residents of Ilford by refusing to rule out hospital cuts.
I was disappointed but not surprised by the PM’s response. While more money is being spent on the NHS it is very clear it is not being spent well. My constituents, like many others, are facing the likelihood of severe reductions in local health services
I have organised Parliamentary petitions in support of King George’s and Whipps Cross Hospitals.
Please let me know your views on this issue.
Comments
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Posted by Carolynne Spencer, 12:10, Thu 7 December 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
With only two A&E serving the area one would hope they are not candidates for closure. There is probably too much pressure on these departments already.
Posted by Ayyaz Mirza, 17:29, Thu 7 December 2006: (Is this post abusive?) #
I am pleased to hear that you have tried to bring the potential closure of two vital A & E wards to the attention of the PM.
I am astounded at the Labour Party stance in this matter! Having lived in Waltham Forest most of my life, and now living in Woodford Green I have seen the need for greater services at both of these hospitals. Both of the hospitals need more resources.