§ 8. Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy that the accident and emergency department of Broadgreen hospital will not be closed until adequate alternative facilities are made available. [22858]
§ Mr. O'HaraI am delighted to have that assurance. The Minister will be aware, however, that at the turn of the year the accident and emergency department has almost closed perforce due to lack of recruitment of qualified staff. He will also be aware of leaked reports that it was to be closed on 31 July when the contracts of staff recruited in crisis came to an end. Will he ensure that steps are in place to ensure that Broadgreen accident and emergency department is fully staffed to remain open after 31 July? Otherwise, my constituents in Knowsley, South will continue to live in fear and suspicion that the trust in which they have no trust is trying to engineer the closure of the department before adequate facilities are in place.
§ Mr. BowisThe hon. Gentleman's constituents can have trust in the trust. One has to consider only the brand new A and E department at Fazakerley hospital, the largest and best equipped not only in this country but in Europe, the £2.7 million extension to the Royal Liverpool University hospital A and E department, and the new £9 million critical care unit at St. Helens and Knowsley hospital, to be completed in April 1996. The pledge is there that the A and E department at Broadgreen hospital will not be phased out until those facilities are in place.