Hospital Downgrades ‘Could Kill Thousands’
Thousands of patients could die as a result of Labour’s policy to downgrade accident and emergency departments, research shows today.
{mosimage}A study has found that the further patients travel in an ambulance to reach hospital the more likely they are to die.
Its authors say the findings show Government policy-making “may be driven by anecdote or supposition” rather than based on evidence of what is best for patients.
The policy of providing community-based services and downgrading A&E departments, which was outlined in a White Paper in January 2006, has provoked protests.
Many fear it will mean they have to travel further for emergency care and say it is simply a cost-cutting measure.
Yesterday, David Cameron said the policy would lead to the closure of 29 hospitals.
He said people could not understand why A&E departments were closing when admissions were up and promised to fight to save units.
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