§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated costs of transferring accident and emergency services from Stracathro hospital to Dundee hospitals.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 26 March 1993]: Most major trauma cases are already referred directly to the specialist Accident and Emergency centre in Dundee. Any transfer of the remaining cases together with the out-of-hours service could be absorbed within the existing Dundee hospitals at no extra cost.
The Scottish ambulance service is currently examining the effects of the planned changes to determine whether it will incur additional costs.
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§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the estimated annual savings in transferring accident and emergency services from Stracathro hospital to Dundee hospitals.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 26 March 1993]: The Board's proposal to transfer of accident and emergency service from Stracathro to Dundee is based on grounds of improving quality rather than in terms of cost-effectiveness. In practice much major trauma is already diverted to Dundee. I understand, however, that Tayside health board estimates that it could save around £98,000 from proposed service changes.