NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS RISKS OF LOCAL A&E CLOSURES - LAMB

2.01.26pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 21st Aug 2007

Commenting today on research published by the Emergency Medicine Journal on the effects of closing local Accident and Emergency units, Norman Lamb MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, said: "There is a real risk that A&E units are being closed because of short term financial need, not because of an assessment of where services are needed most."

"Regional super-centres are inevitably going to lead to longer ambulance journey times."

"Emergency facilities should be determined by what is needed locally rather than because of short term financial pressures. Big isn't always better."

The Emergency Medicine Journal research involved 10,000 cases in four ambulance services between 1997 and 2001 and claimed that the closure of local A&E departments will put the lives of seriously ill patients at risk by making them travel further for treatment.