§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the progress being made towards finalising the contract with Mercury Health Ltd to provide and run a diagnostic treatment centre at Ashford Hospital, Middlesex; and how many procedures per year he expects to be carried out at the new centre. [146502]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 8 January 2004]: The Department, working with local National Health Service sponsors, is making good progress towards finalising a contract for the provision of an independent sector treatment centre at Ashford. The treatment centre plans to provide treatment for 1,711 patients on average annually.
§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether Ashford Hospital, Middlesex, has an Accident and Emergency Department. [146543]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 8 January 2004]: Ashford Hospital, Middlesex, which is part of the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals National Health Service Trust, has an emergency department which deals 591W with all medical emergencies and walking wounded. The accident and emergency department at St.Peter's Hospital in Chertsey handles trauma cases.