Health boss Hewitt sparks new ambulance row

Apr 25 2007 By Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail

BRITAIN'S top health boss claims an A&E shake-up meaning longer journeys in an ambulance for critically ill patients would NOT be a bad thing.

When quizzed on controversial plans to scale down City Hospital's casualty, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said there were advantages to being in an ambulance longer.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust will decide next month whether to go-ahead with plans to stop emergency surgery at City A&E, in Winson Green - sending patients on an extra 15-minute journey for treatment at Sandwell A&E in West Bromwich instead.

Ms Hewitt said: "I know Sandwell and West Birmingham Trust is consulting formally and local views will be taken into consideration.

"For the most seriously injured patients, say someone smashed up in a car accident, it can be better for them to go to a specialist hospital, even if it is further away.

"They can be treated by paramedics in the ambulance on the way and that is taking place across the country.

"The trust needs to look at what's best for the people in Sandwell."

But Dr Ken Taylor, a consultant at the trust and member of City Hospital Supporter's Group, said City Hospital already had expertise that patients need.

"City A&E has particular expertise in penetrating trauma injuries, including gunshot and knife wounds," said Dr Taylor.

"Patients need to get to those services as soon as possible and prolonged ambulance journeys cannot improve their health.

"I haven't any shadow of doubt these plans would be a bad step for the healthcare of people in Birmingham."

Along with scaling down City A&E, proposals include merging baby wards across the two hospitals and closing a children's overnight ward at City, replacing it with a 24 hour assessment ward and moving beds to a unit at Sandwell Hospital.

The trust board decides on whether to approve the plans at a public meeting in the Anne Gibson Board Room at City Hospital on May 10.