Written question asked by David Wilshire (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 July 2002. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 July 2002 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when Ashford (Middlesex) Hospital accident and emergency department was downgraded to an emergency department. - (Holding answer 2 July 2002).

Answer: Mr. Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when Ashford (Middlesex) Hospital accident and emergency department was downgraded to an emergency department. [66489] Ms Blears: [holding answer 2 July 2002]: The merger of Ashford and St. Peter's hospitals in 1998 to create the Ashford and St. Peter's hospitals national health service trust provided an opportunity to review clinical service provision between the two hospitals. This was necessary to ensure the safe delivery of services in the light of internal and external priorities, such as junior doctors' hours, increasing sub-specialisation and clinical governance. For this reason the decision was taken, after public consultation, to treat all surgical and trauma emergencies at St. Peter's hospital and maintain an emergency unit at Ashford hospital. This came into effect on 2 October 2000.

Secondary information