QUEEN ELIZABETH II HOSPITAL

Early day motion 644, tabled 2 February 2009 by Grant Shapps (Conservative). Signed by 4 members.

That this House notes the report of the College of Emergency Medicine, the Way Ahead 2008 to 2012, which concluded that there is no evidence of the clinical or financial benefit of the urgent care model; further notes that the Government's proposals for such a model are clinically unproven and against the principle of patient choice of access to proper emergency care; is gravely concerned at the decision to downgrade services at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, including the closure of its 24-hour accident and emergency department and loss of consultant-led maternity services; applauds the cross-party efforts of the Hospital SOS Taskforce in Welwyn Garden City to keep accident and emergency, maternity, surgery and other medical services operating at the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital; and regrets the shortcomings of the consultation process and the decision by the Secretary of State for Health to approve the recommendations of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, which jeopardises the future of Queen Elizabeth II as a general district hospital.

Signatures by party: Conservative 4.