§ Mr. Alan CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to improve accident and emergency services at hospitals within the Northumbria NHS Trust since 1997. [170420]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe following steps have been taken to improve accident and emergency services at Northumbria Healthcare
Opening a rapid assessment and treatment unit.Expansion of the A&E consultant team to 10 consultants at the North Tyneside General Hospital and Wansbeck General Hospital.A major refurbishment and extension of the two A&E departments.Opening of a dedicated minor injuries area.Development of a dedicated emergency nurse practitioner services at both hospital sites.Development of an emergency nurse practitioner services in community hospitals.Introduction of care facilitators across the trust to reduce delays during hospital care and to help co-ordinate the patient's journey.The emergency services collaborative has also helped to redesign systems and unnecessary steps out of the patient pathway. This is being continued under the Improving Partnership in Hospitals programme.