2:54pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Manisha Mistry
WELWYN Hatfield MP Grant Shapps has criticised new plans for the QEII Hospital maintaining that the people of the borough need an accident and emergency service close by.
In a review of healthcare services in the east and north of Hertfordshire the primary care trust has moved the A&E and maternity departments from the Welwyn Garden hospital to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage.
Although the new local general hospital planned for the QEII will retain the majority of non-acute services as well as providing an urgent care centre Tory MP Mr Shapps condemns the loss of vital care the people of the borough need.
He told the Review: “Although new provisions for A&E and maternity will be set up at the Lister Hospital it is not good enough for the people of Welwyn Hatfield.
“They need an A&E department at close reach. It is ludicrous to send them to Stevenage.
“The decisions have been made like it's a done deal. My whole argument is on behalf of people locally.
“We are an expanding area and I think it is ridiculous to be losing such vital services.”
He added: “What people want is an A&E. An urgent care centre is a recipe for confusion and people will be wondering whether or not they should be going there or not.”
To read more about the plans click the related link on this story.
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