Critical Care Networks (Transfers)

HC Deb 19 July 2004 vol 424 cc119-20W

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 5 July 2004,Official Report, column 580W, on critical care networks (transfers), for what reasons patients are transferred between hospitals for non-clinical reasons; and if he will make a statement. [184206]

Ms Rosie Winterton

Critical care transfers between hospitals occur for non-clinical reasons where critical care beds or other necessary resources are not immediately available. There are 29 critical care networks that work with commissioners and providers to assess the needs of the critically ill, plan services to meet those needs, agree standards and monitor the delivery of critical care. It is their role to ensure transfers for non-clinical reasons occur only within the network and only occur following consultant-to-consultant discussion and agreement.