§ Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when the accident and emergency department at Ashford (Middlesex) Hospital was closed and replaced by an emergency department; and what the difference between the two facilities is. [160367]
1048W
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe accident and emergency (A and E) department at Ashford Hospital has not been closed. It remains open 24-hours a day accepting a wide range of medical and surgical emergencies. However, in October 2000 one group of seriously injured patients, those with trauma injuries, were diverted to St. Peter's Hospital, to reflect the concentration of specialist trauma care at St. Peter's.
The diversion from Ashford Hospital to St. Peter's Hospital was made to improve further clinical outcomes for trauma patients and at the same time the trust renamed the A and E department in Ashford Hospital to 'emergency department'.
There is a standard departmental classification system for A and E departments. Ashford Hospital's A and E rating is unchanged. It remains a type 1 A and E, which is a major multi-specialty consultant led 24-hour service, with full resuscitation facilities and designated accommodation for the reception of accident and emergency patients.
Classification does not depend on the name of the service. This is, within certain rules, a matter for the local health service. The official description remains A and E but emergency department is increasingly used as a local alternative