MP will not support overhaul of A&E departments unless health services improve

The existing MP for Southend West met with Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to discuss plans to merge Southend, Basildon and Broomfield hospitals. Sir David told him plans to turn Basildon into a major trauma centre and downgrade the remaining two departments can only be agreed if patients are set to benefit.

He wants GPs to be more involved in the shake-up, directing non-emergency patients to the correct level of care. It will ensure A&Es, which are already stretched, can focus on patients most in need.

Sir David, who will campaign to defend his seat ahead of June’s snap general election, said: “I will not be supporting any changes whatsoever unless they are clinically driven. I will not allow changes to be made to Southend A&E which in any sense reduce the quality of service and endanger people’s lives.”

Under the South and Mid Essex Success Regime, Basildon Hospital is set to take the most serious blue light cases from across the area. Southend and Broomfield, in Chelmsford, will retain a 24-hour walk-in service to treat less serious cases.

Sir David said: “I recall spending the night in Basildon A&E observing what went on. I was struck by the fact that amongst the whole range of cases which were presented, some should never have gone to the A&E in the first place and should have been dealt with either by a GP or, because they were so minor, could have easily been dealt with at home.

“So ideally I would hope that GP’s would organise their practises in such a way that people were properly screened to be given the help they need and directed to the appropriate service so that the A&E unit should be available for accidents and emergencies, not for minor ailments.

“The biggest improvements would be to communicate to people presenting themselves how they will be triaged and what times will be involved. Once someone has been triaged, they should be taken to the centre most appropriate to provide first class treatment.”