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Trafford General: 'birthplace of the NHS' to lose A&E Trafford General: 'birthplace of the NHS' to lose A&E
(about 2 hours later)
The hospital where the NHS was founded is to lose its accident and emergency department despite a lengthy campaign. The hospital that treated the first NHS patient is to lose its accident and emergency department.
Health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that Trafford General Hospital will be downgraded to an urgent care centre, then a minor injuries unit. Health secretary Jeremy Hunt announced Trafford General Hospital will be downgraded to an urgent care centre, then a minor injuries unit.
He also announced vascular services in Cumbria and Lancashire would be concentrated at three centres in Carlisle, Blackburn and Preston. He also announced the concentration of vascular services in Cumbria and Lancashire at three specialist centres in Carlisle, Blackburn and Preston.
Trafford General Hospital treated the first NHS patient in 1948. Campaigners said it would mean patients would have to travel further.
Mr Hunt told the Commons that Greater Manchester is home to some of the best and most innovative hospitals but "difficult decisions" had to be made to provide safe and sustainable health care. Matthew Finnegan, chair of the Save Trafford General campaign, said: "These decisions can't just be made by clinicians.
"They have got to listen to what local people say and people want an A&E. It's not an unreasonable request.
"Local people will be appalled and disgusted that they have not been listened to."
'Clinical benefits'
Mr Hunt told the Commons Trafford was the "smallest hospital in the UK" with the "second smallest accident and emergency department".
Between midnight and 08:00 BST it only sees two patients an hour, he said.
"At peak times it sees seven patients an hour. Half of the population use services outside of Trafford.
"For too long, people have not been getting the type of service they should - and deserve to - receive."
He also announced A&E services at neighbouring Wythenshawe Hospital are to expand. Trafford will also become a specialist orthopaedic centre with day services expanded.
Mr Hunt also announced vascular services in North Lancashire and South Cumbria will be concentrated on three specialist centres at Carlisle, Blackburn and Preston.
He admitted some patients would have to travel further but claimed the "clinical benefits outweigh the disadvantages of travel times".
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said the Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green was not informed of the Trafford announcement, which he said was "disgraceful."
He said it was an insult to people who "should have rightly expected the voice of their elected Member of Parliament to be heard."
A Department of Health spokeswoman confirmed that changes will only take place at Trafford once assurances have been given that the three neighbouring A&E departments can continue to provide the same level of service and consistently meet standards.