Common sense at lasts prevails

[Sqad]

http://www.dailymail....5-casualty-units.html

Sorry to keep harping on about it, but i have felt strongly on this issue for 20-30years.

An excellent re-appraisal of the A&E of the UK.

[sandyRoe]

There is a plan afoot to close an A&E in Mid-Ulster which will mean a 30 mile ambulance journey for treatment in Antrim Hospital.
I'm glad I don't live in that neck of the woods.

[sunny-dave]

Quite agree sqad.

As usual The Mail is barking emotively up the wrong tree - for every one of the (very few) people who may suffer because their local A&E is closing, hundreds will get a better outcome because thay are taken to a modern, well organised and equipped A&E rather than a 'too small to be safe' unit.

In my own area, in a 'blue light' emergency, I would insist on being taken to UHCW in Coventry, even if the ambulance was going to drive me past the doors of St Cross in Rugby.

[Sqad]

sandy....30 miles?.......that's nothing.

I would rather be taken 100 miles to get the modern facilities rather than 20 miles to the nearest "rag tag and bobtail" A&E, of which there are plenty in the UK. Poorly staffed in quantity and quality of staff and equipment.

[Sqad]

sunny-dave.........spot on.

[LoftyLottie]

A 30 mile trip to Norwich from our home in an ambulance saved the life of my husband. I agree that he would have not had the same up to date treatment in the local hospitals (that are now closed!)

What I would like to see throughout the country is access to 24 hour medical centres for minor emergencies and illnesses etc, within reasonable distance for all, so that A and E at hospitals only covers major emergencies.

[humbersloop]

completely agree, but nobody's really prepared to make that argument robustly to the public at large because it's a vote loser

[Sqad]

Lofty

\\What I would like to see throughout the country is access to 24 hour medical centres for minor emergencies and illnesses etc, within reasonable distance for all, so that A and E at hospitals only covers major emergencies.\\

It exists.....it's called General practice, to which the Coalition is going to give £64billion.

GP's should provide a 24hour service.

[humbersloop]

don't set me off about gps, none locally open in the evenings or saturdays and that in a rural area where they claim every allowance going

[LoftyLottie]

I agree they should Sqad. I am sure it could be done without outsourcing. I meant drop in clinics actually attached to GP practices as opposed to what exists at the moment. Appointment systems are fine in many respects but not adequate when you are ill and can't get an appointment on the same day. We are fortunate, there is always someone you can see if you need same day service. But this has to be during daytime hours unless you want to take your chance with the out of hours service.

[LoftyLottie]

Just read humber's answer which echos my thoughts. In my opinion a large group practice of GP's could arrange a system where there is a doctor /nurse available at all times, without outsourcing.

[Kerosene]

And to think of all the ABers on here who usually s-l-a-g off the Mail? Don't suppose any could bring themselves to read the link?

Great news, indeed - IF it comes to fruition? No matter which side of the political - or wealth - divide you're on, the NHS is still undoubtedly one of our greatest ever institutions - not, of course, without some understandable flaws - and evidence of that can be seen by the many thousands of foreign nationals treated by it since its inception.........oops, was that my cynical side peeping out again?

[sunny-dave]

You really don't have a clue do you ....

[Sqad]

Kerosene....... you are quite correct it was and is still is, to a lesser extent a wonderful and one of our greatest institutions.

I have hated the arrogance of the electorate and many of the doctors and health service workers who have suggested that the NHS is the "envy of the world" and that our NHS doctors lead the world in expertise and training.
That was never the case and is not so today.

It is an insult to other countries who have equally excellently trained doctors and an arrogance that I have found difficult to swallow.

[Essell]

The NHS is trying to be all things to all people and resources are spread too thinly. It is time there were cross party decisions made on what should be the essential work of NHS and what should be private. Until then, specialists will all demand resources for their own pet projects whether or not they are essential to health.

[pdq1]

Cutting back on the number of A&Es within a given area seems on the face of it a good idea. Having a centre of excellence in one larger hospital with better equipment , more qualified staff and better outcomes for treatment is an excellent idea.

However this idea has been hijacked from treatment for major illnesses such as Heart problems, strokes, cancer treatments where usually a patient is admitted for top notch surgery. Nobody wants to go to their local hospital to be operated for life threatening surgery is a jack of all trades surgeon and dabbles in each.

However for A&E the situation is vastly different where traffic accident victims are rushed to. Admittedly they have a high incidence of drunks which clog up the system but these will also have to go the new A&E. So the new A&Es will get bigger and bigger, treating more patients and the queues will get longer and longer.

Unfortunately in the case of fewer A&Es the main motive is cost.

[Sqad]

pdq1

\\\\\However for A&E the situation is vastly different where traffic accident victims are rushed to\\\\

I disagree........a report by the Royal College of surgeons some years ago came to the conclusion that going to a local DGH lessened your chance of survival compared to if the DGH was bypassed and the patient taken to a central A&E attached to a modern multidisciplinary hospital.

\\\\\So the new A&Es will get bigger and bigger, treating more patients and the queues will get longer and longer. \\\

I agree..........the Coalition are giving the money £64 billion to the GP's instead of the hospitals...........bloody stupid in my opinion.