Dozens of accident and emergency units are facing closure or being downgraded in a far-reaching overhaul of urgent care which senior doctors warn would have “disastrous” consequences for the NHS. An analysis of documents drawn up to remodel the health service in England shows that 24 casualty units from Durham to Somerset have been marked for potential closure despite record demand for A&Es and serious overcrowding across the country as the NHS goes through its most severe winter crisis since records began.



Last month produced the worst performance for A&E waits in 13 years. Research based on 44 regional blueprints reveals that managers are planning to cater for up to 30 per cent fewer A&E visits and plans have already been advanced to downgrade units to urgent care centres (UCC) with fewer specialist or consultant-grade staff.

A&E units at risk Active plans for closure or downgrade :: Alexandra Hospital, Redditch :: Dewsbury and District Hospital :: Ealing Hospital, west London :: King George Hospital, east London :: Poole Hospital, Dorset :: City Hospital, Birmingham * :: Sandwell District General Hospital * (* Replaced by unit at new Midland Metropolitan Hospital in 2018) Facing closure or downgrade in STP documents (no firm proposal yet made) ** :: George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton, Warwickshire :: Queens Hospital, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire :: Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, Essex :: Southend University Hospital, Essex :: County Hospital, Stafford :: Horton General Hospital, Oxfordshire :: Milton Keynes University Hospital, Buckinghamshire :: Bedford Hospital, Bedfordshire :: Epsom Hospital, Surrey :: St Helier Hospital, Surrey :: Kingston Hospital, west London :: Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury :: Princess Royal Hospital, Shropshire :: Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, West Yorkshire :: Darlington Memorial, Durham :: University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton-on-Tees :: Macclesfield General Hospital, Cheshire :: Scarborough General Hospital, North Yorkshire :: Southport District General Hospital, Merseyside :: Charing Cross Hospital, west London :: Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, Lancashire :: Grantham Hospital, Lincolnshire :: Warrington Hospital, Cheshire :: Weston General Hospital, Somerset :: Tameside General Hospital, Greater Manchester :: Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, Greater Manchester (** According to STPs in several areas, neighbouring units will go “head to head” to decide which should remain a full A&E and which will face closure or downgrade.) Health service managers have insisted that in cases where changes are already taking place at emergency units, the result will be improved provision to local services. For example, in Dorset proposals currently out to consultation will result in specialist 24-hour A&E provision in the county – a service which is currently unavailable.

Thats fine close A&E and open a book upstairs in WH Smiths.

It all makes perfect sense, a town with an ageing population and an increase in tourism to 8.65M, according to BID figures, then why on earth would we need an A&E? Why not turn Southport into a geriatric hospital to solve the bed blocking problem and move everything else out, oops sorry that is the plan.

It is nothing new, when they created the Trauma Centres it was obvious that the remaining A & E 's would end up being closed / downgraded to Minor Injury clinics.

What do you expect from the present government, anything which costs and doesn't put money into the right pocket, must be shut down as quickly as possible and the costs transferred directly to those using the service.

Get shut of A&E, look at the savings not having to deal with anyone injured or taken ill suddenly, more people will die before they ever get attention, even more savings.

Vote Tory, get poverty treatment.

The Helicopter will be the only way to get to Ormskirk in a REAL emergency during peak times, weekends and holiday time.

Fabulous idea (probably from someone who has NO idea of the probable travel problems)!

Originally Posted by pedoja

The Helicopter will be the only way to get to Ormskirk in a REAL emergency during peak times, weekends and holiday time.

Fabulous idea (probably from someone who has NO idea of the probable travel problems)!

Ormskirk only has a children's A&E, a minor injuries unit and a walk in GP centre, both the latter, day time only. For an adult your choices will probably be Liverpool or Preston, try not to be seriously ill or you probably won't even get there.

It’s now more important than ever that residents sign the petition to let NHS Chiefs know that Southport, as a seaside town, with a population of over 90,000 needs a full A&E unit.

Follow the link below to show support:
http://www.southportsays.co.uk/