§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the capacity of accident and emergency departments at(a) St. Bartholomew's, (b) Whittington, (c) the Royal Free, (d) Barnet general and (e) Edgware hospitals in each of the past five years; and what are the planned figures for 1997–98. [19605]
§ Mr. MaloneI refer the hon. Member to the reply the Under-Secretary of State for Health, my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Mr. Horam) gave on 25 November 1996, column127.
§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what reviews have been undertaken by his Department of the operation of accident and emergency departments at(a) St. Bartholomew's (b) Whittington, (c) the Royal Free, (d) Barnet general and (e) Edgware hospitals; and if he will make a statement. [19606]
§ Mr. MaloneA strategy for the configuration of accident and emergency services in London was included in the report "Making London Better" in February 1993. Copies are available in the Library.
The on-going review and monitoring of accident and emergency departments is the responsibility of local health authorities. Service reviews are initiated in the light of local needs and circumstances and are the subject of statutory public consultation if major change or service development is indicated.
Statutory consultation exercises have been undertaken by individual health authorities on the reconfiguration of emergency services at St. Bartholomew's, Barnet general hospital and Edgware general hospital.