§ 29. Miss KirkbrideTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the clinical differences between an accident and emergency department and a local emergency centre. [98954]
§ Ms StuartAccident and emergency (A&E) departments have emergency care available for 24 hours a day, are equipped to deal with severely injured patients, and have a full resuscitation service. Most also have access to specialist services such as neurology, cardiology and plastics as well as diagnostic facilities such as X-rays and scanners.
94WLocal emergency centres vary from area to area, but they may differ from full A &E departments in that they may not be open for 24 hours a day, and usually see people with less serious injuries.
However, patients can be referred from such centres to A&E departments or directly to hospital when appropriate. Additionally, enhanced telemedicine links enable patients to be diagnosed and treated locally without having to travel long distances.