§ 13. Mr. Bill Michie (Sheffield, Heeley)How many accident and emergency departments are being improved as part of the modernisation programme; and if he will make a statement. [115160]
§ 17. Mr. Steve McCabe (Birmingham, Hall Green)How many accident and emergency departments are being modernised; and if he will make a statement. [115164]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health (Ms Gisela Stuart)The £115 million capital investment in accident and emergency services is enabling 244 improvement schemes to be carried out in 182 hospital trusts in England.
§ Mr. MichieWhen considering the modernisation of accident and emergency units throughout the country, will my hon. Friend also consider the role of the ambulance service?
§ Ms StuartMy hon. Friend is right: the modernisation review, examining the way in which patients are treated in accident and emergency departments, must go much further, and ambulances play a vital role. As well as giving extra money to the ambulance service and implementing the modernisation programme, we are piloting schemes in parts of the country to separate category C calls, which are less urgent, from those involving the patients in greatest need. We want to ensure through NHS Direct that the ambulances that are needed most urgently to take such patients to accident and emergency units are used as effectively as possible.
§ Mr. McCabeLabour Members welcome the improvements to accident and emergency units. However, we are not simply considering facilities. Anyone who has recently visited an accident and emergency unit must be aware of the tremendous pressures on staff. What is the Minister doing to help the people whom we employ in accident and emergency units?
§ Ms StuartMy hon. Friend is right to say that as well as modernising the processes in accident and emergency units, we must recognise that our most valuable asset is the staff. Last October, we published a joint initiative with other Departments to support all hospitals in preventing violence, including attacks on staff. I recently visited Sandwell health authority, which has launched a successful anti-violence initiative. One of the most pleasing aspects was the announcement by the chair of the local bench that an assault on national health service staff would be considered an aggravating factor by magistrates sentencing in that area.
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. Time is up. I hope that the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) is happy, as he has heard a great deal from the Minister now.