Fair share of A&E money should come to Cornwall

West Cornwall MP and Liberal Democrat Member of the Health Select Committee, Andrew George has called on the Health Secretary to make sure that a fair share of the half billion fund announced to support A&E departments should come to Cornwall.

Mr George, who is part of the Committee which recently produced a report warning the government of an impending crisis in A&E, and who has welcomed today’s announcement, said:

“Cornwall’s health service has been underfunded by £200 million over the last six years. Problems with heavy pressure on the emergency department at Treliske have been highlighted by very long ambulance waits outside the department in recent months, amongst other indicators. Staff are working like Trojans, but the fact is that if Treliske cannot cope they cannot send patients to the North, South or West unlike many other parts of the country.  Patients have nowhere else to go.

“That’s why Cornwall should be high on the list of areas to benefit from these additional funds.

As well as more staff in the emergency department itself, some funds would have to be deployed to reduce pressures on the emergency department. Improved primary care, NHS 111 helpline and out of hours GP services are needed to better handle patients to avoid unnecessary arrivals at the emergency department.

“Also better primary care and social care for the safe discharge of patients, and improved facilities, beds and more staff for more the efficient admission of emergency patients into RCHT.”

 

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