§ Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria determine the level of provision of accident and emergency units in a given area. [40466]
§ Mr. BoatengHealth authorities and National Health Service trusts should provide an accident and emergency service which meets the needs of local people. The number and size of accident and emergency departments will therefore vary according to local circumstances.
There is evidence that seriously ill and injured patients do better in larger departments where a high proportion of care is offered by consultant staff, with access to back-up from a range of specialist departments.
In order to help inform local decisions the Department published in January 1997 a review of accident and emergency departments as part of the Health Care Needs Assessment series. In addition in May 1995 the Department published the "Review of Literature on Accident and Emergency Departments and Clinical Outcomes". Copies are available in the Library.