§ 15. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied with the operation of the casualty departments of non-teaching hospitals in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CrossmanI am satisfied that the concentration of services into designated accident and emergency departments is enabling hospital boards to provide a more effective service in the interests of patients.
§ Mr. SmithIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some small hospitals are more deficient in their casualty departments than in any other department? Should not this be given full priority in any rethinking that is going on in the National Health Service?
§ Mr. CrossmanI am aware that there may be accidents where it appears to be almost to the advantage of the patient to be taken to a nearby small hospital than to a larger one. Nevertheless, in general it is clear that the modern kind of accident and emergency department is far better able to deal with grave accidents than the smaller hospital. After all, accidents cannot be diagnosed on the spot on the road. Therefore, it is important to get the patient to a place where he can be dealt with adequately.