Wednesday, January 16, 2013

3 A&Es closed to ambulances on one day


Below is an extract from Hansard showing a question asked by Mike Gapes MP

T4. [136860] Mike Gapes (Ilford South) (Lab/Co-op): On 30 December, ambulances in north-east London were diverted from the Whipps Cross, Queen’s and Homerton hospitals, with only the accident and emergency
15 Jan 2013 : Column 734
units at the Royal London hospital and the King George hospital in Ilford being open. Last week, on 8 January, Queen’s hospital in Romford was again diverting ambulances. Will the new Secretary of State look at the decision of his predecessor, whom I see on the Bench near him, and cancel the insane decision to close the accident and emergency unit at King George hospital?
Mr Hunt: The decision has been taken, but we have made it absolutely clear that we will not proceed with implementing it until there is sufficient capacity in the area, particularly at Queen’s hospital in Romford, to cope with any additional pressures caused by it, and that undertaking remains.ENDs

Three East London A&Es closed to ambulances on one day is a worry. I have asked NHS for information about temporary A&E closures and will report further when I get a response.


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