§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will ensure that Chorley and South Ribble accident and emergency department plays a central role in achieving the improvements to services planned by the Government; [8414]
(2) how many ambulance emergency cases were taken to Chorley accident and emergency ward in each of the last five years; and how many of these were then taken to Royal Preston hospital; [8440]
(3) what plans he has to extend services at Chorley casualty department; [8412]
925W(4) what change in service levels has taken place at the accident and emergency department at Chorley hospital in each of the last five years; [8442]
(5) if he will support a casualty department at Chorley and South Ribble hospital; [8411]
(6) what assistance he provides to recruit extra staff to work on the accident and emergency department at Chorley and South Ribble hospital; [8415]
(7) how many people have been treated at Chorley accident and emergency department in each of the last five years; [8441]
1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 All ambulance patients 4,046 5,840 6,491 7,097 All ambulance patients admitted to Chorley 1,544 2,576 2,812 3,303 All Chorley ambulance patients admitted to Preston 169 239 277 291 Total A&E patients transferred to Preston 760 1,339 1,415 1,472 The unification of the accident and emergency department for Chorley and Preston has brought many enhancements to service levels and an increase in activity, as shown in the tables. The rotation of consultants and their junior colleagues between the two sites has enabled medical staff to gain the relevant experience at both locations to provide comprehensive, quality health care. This has led, specifically at Chorley, to more consultants working on the hospital site and, at the same time, to an increase in the number of middle grade doctors working over the 24-hour period.The accident and emergency service for Central Lancashire, which is provided on both sites, already has an excellent record of recruiting staff for the department. It is, for example, one of the few units in the north-west with a full complement of nursing staff.
Chorley and South Ribble accident and emergency department was redeveloped and expanded in August 1996. The link with Preston has secured the future of this service, so that the population of Chorley and South Ribble will continue to enjoy access to two accident and emergency departments, at Chorley and Preston. Based on existing guidelines, and through its partnership arrangements, Chorley and South Ribble district general hospital has the capacity to provide 24-hour A&E cover in all clinical situations.
Total attendances at Chorley accident and emergency in each of the last five years were as follows:
Number 1996–97 42,600 1997–98 45,620 1998–99 46,670 1999–2000 48,481 2000–01 48,504 The Boards of Chorley and South Ribble NHS Trust and Preston acute hospitals national health service trust made it clear that Chorley will continue to provide 24-hour emergency services. The Chorley and South Ribble primary care trust supports that plan. In addition, Chorley and South Ribble district general hospital will continue to play a major role in the provision of orthopaedic services for Central Lancashire.
926W(8) if he will ensure that emergency and orthopaedic services continue to be dealt with at Chorley and South Ribble hospital; [8413]
(9) if he will make a statement on the merits of operating a full accident and emergency department at Chorley hospital. [8443]
§ Jacqui SmithChorley and South Ribble accident and emergency department plays a central role in the current services and will continue to do so. Figures for the number of accident and emergency cases taken to Chorley and Preston are based on the accident and emergency information system, which was introduced in 1997–98. Comparable earlier data are not available: