Maria Miller MP has today voiced her support for staff at who are coping with increased numbers using Accident and Emergency at Basingstoke Hospital. The number of people seeking emergency care at Hampshire Hospital Foundation Trust hospitals went up more than 11% over Christmas and 15% over the New Year compared with the same period last year.
Maria said, “I would like to pay tribute to the staff at Basingstoke Hospital A&E who have worked incredibly hard over the Christmas and New Year period. More people are seeking emergency care at Basingstoke A&E but despite this pressure the vast majority of patients are being seen in the target 4 hours. Patient safety has to be the priority but I can understand those who have had to wait longer will be concerned.
“Just before Christmas I met Basingstoke Accident and Emergency doctors and nurses with the Secretary of State for Health Jeremy Hunt. It’s clear our Hospital is leading the way in making sure people get the treatment they need as soon as possible; Co-locating GP services next to A&E can help some patients access the right medical support.
“We have to do everything we can to protect our health service for the future. Budgets have been protected and extra money made available to cope with this winter pressure. But with an ageing and growing population the pressure will continue and that is why our local NHS is looking to work in new and different ways. The new Critical Treatment Hospital proposals are ground breaking. We need to support our local medical experts in finding new solutions to provide health care in our community."