§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set up an inquiry to establish why 30 per cent. of seriously injured patients admitted to accident and emergency units die from potentially treatable causes.
§ Mrs. Currie[holding answer 28 November 1988]: No. We are not aware of any evidence that 30 per cent. of seriously injured patients admitted to accident and emergency departments die from potentially treatable causes. What the recent report of the Royal College of Surgeons on the management of patients with major injuries did put forward was the hypothesis that, of the patients who die, up to 30 per cent. do so from potentially treatable conditions. Most patients who are treated in accident and emergency units will eventually return home lafter treatment.
My hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State welcomed the report on the day it was published. Issues raised by the report are being carefully studied.