§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what assessment he has made of the number of cancellations of elective surgery in London hospitals last winter and the consequent impact upon both(a) patients and (b) the health service; and what action he has taken to prevent a recurrence of such cancellations; [40596]
(2) what assessment he has made of the congestion in accident and emergency departments in London last winter; and what action he has taken to remedy the situation. [40595]
§ Mr. MaloneThe Secretary of State assured the House on 6 March 1996,Official Report, column 356, that the national health service would learn from the experiences of last winter. Since then, preparing for emergency demand in winter has been a priority, and every health authority working with its trusts has prepared plans. The plans reflect local circumstances and national guidance and good practice. In drawing them up, health authorities and trusts have considered relevant local factors such as trends in activity and emergency admissions, the capacity for providing treatment and the scheduling of non-urgent treatments, the provision of intensive care facilities, bed management within hospitals and arrangements for the admission and discharge of patients, and developments and initiatives in patient care and treatment. The Secretary of State received a report, on those plans from the chief executive of the NHS Executive at the end of September.
761WHealth authorities and NHS trusts across the two Thames regions have produced action plans for improving emergency care services which are being refined and will be monitored throughout the winter. Implementation plans for the co-ordination of accident and emergency services across London are being consulted upon.