§ 62. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services on what basis the need is assessed for a full accident and emergency service in individual health districts.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergThe Department's general guideline is that a major accident and emergency department which offers a 24-hour, seven day a week service should serve a population of at least 150,000. This may, however, need to be varied in the light of local factors such as work load and the spread of population. It is the responsibility of health authorities to decide what pattern of major and peripheral accident and emergency facilities will best meet their local needs.