They can’t close an A&E department (From Worcester News)

They can’t close an A&E department

1:20pm Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Read

SIR – Government guidelines for accident and emergency departments say that patients should not have to wait more than 15 minutes (a maximum of 20) to receive an initial assessment.

Recent league tables suggest that neither Worcester nor Redditch are able to keep to their schedules all of the time, yet the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is considering closing one of the A&E departments to save a £50 million shortfall (Worcester News, June 14).

It is forecast that in 30 years’ time there will be 70,000 more people aged over 65, many of whom will require emergency treatment.

How can the trust even contemplate closing one A&E department? It is more probable that we would need three.

PHIL PEGLER
Worcester