No A&E at the QEII from 1 October 2014

[Whereaami]

They kept that quiet.........

http://www.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/no-ae-qeii-1-october-2014

[FurtiveBertie]

I'm not sure they did keep it quiet.

I thought it has already closed, and we've been using Lister for the last couple of years.

FB

[New Boy]

been all over the press for years exactly.

[JCB]

Thanks for the heads up, it was actually news to me too

[mb1]

I noticed the new signs in welwyn the other day. I was very surprised it wasn't already shut, they've been talking about it for so long. we've been going to Harlow for quite a while when necessary.

[Aardvaark]

It's no surprise but I'm just concerned that they say that, if an emergency should arise, then patients will be taken to Lister at Stevenage or to Watford. I know that ambulance crews say they aren't allowed to take people to Harlow - no consideration for people without their own transport. At least if you need to visit someone there is a direct bus link to both QEII and to Harlow. It's more difficult, but not impossible to get to Stevenage, as long as you only want to visit during the day - but how would you get to Watford from here?

[The Masked Woler]

It's no surprise but I'm just concerned that they say that, if an emergency should arise, then patients will be taken to Lister at Stevenage or to Watford. I know that ambulance crews say they aren't allowed to take people to Harlow - no consideration for people without their own transport. At least if you need to visit someone there is a direct bus link to both QEII and to Harlow. It's more difficult, but not impossible to get to Stevenage, as long as you only want to visit during the day - but how would you get to Watford from here?

There are buses to both the Lister and to Watford from Ware College. (takes forever but they are there)

[IGS]

It's no surprise but I'm just concerned that they say that, if an emergency should arise, then patients will be taken to Lister at Stevenage or to Watford. I know that ambulance crews say they aren't allowed to take people to Harlow - no consideration for people without their own transport. At least if you need to visit someone there is a direct bus link to both QEII and to Harlow. It's more difficult, but not impossible to get to Stevenage, as long as you only want to visit during the day - but how would you get to Watford from here?

Why aren't ambulance crews allowed to go to Harlow? I thought it was all part of East of England NHS trust.

[Aardvaark]

I don't know why exactly but I guess it's a local Commissioning decision; that seems to be indicated by the Notice quoted in the original post. I do know that when my neighbour had a heart attack, the ambulance crew said they could only take him to Lister at Stevenage despite the family's pleas that he go to Harlow.

[craig]

I think this is a bit of a red herring - I see it as a rebranding exercise.

As from 1st October (A&E) Department at QEII is closing. Oh dear.

From the 1st of October the new Urgent Care Centre(UCC) will open at QEII, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The UCC will treat:
[*]Muscle and joint injuries - such as strains, sprains, sudden back or neck pain, tendonitis and tissue injuries
[*]Suspect fractures and broken bones
[*]Bites, stings, cuts, bruises and grazes
[*]Burns and scalds
[*]Foreign bodies stuck in ears, eyes or noses
[*]minor eye injuries
[*]minor head injuroies
[*]minor illnesses which would normally be treated by a GP, but which can't wait until your GP practice is next open

For a suspected heart attack, stroke or any other serious or life threatening illness or injury in an adult or child, ring 999 immediatly.
You will be taken to your nearest Emergency Department. (Lister, Watford (or Harlow?))

So for the majority of us - business as usual at the QEII.

Source:Poster at GPs Surgery - Hertford.