Norfolk hospitals' A&Es reprieved but maternity units face cuts
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 15:22 · Archive
Emergency departments at two Norfolk hospitals will remain open 24/7, but maternity services could be cut under new NHS proposals.
A&E departments at King's Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital and Gorleston's James Paget University Hospital will keep their 24/7 emergency services under new plans unveiled by the Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group on Monday. The proposal marks a reprieve after months of uncertainty over the future of emergency, intensive care and maternity services at both hospitals.
However, maternity services remain under threat. Three options are now under consideration: keeping hospital births at all three hospitals, cutting to two by keeping Norwich alongside either King's Lynn or Gorleston, or moving all hospital births to Norwich. The group's own figures indicate that centralising all births in Norwich is the only option that would resolve a looming £34m deficit.
Under the new plans, all three hospitals would maintain a 24/7 A&E with a children's section, an acute medical unit, intensive care and same-day emergency care. The most critically ill patients would still be sent to Norwich for treatment. Should maternity be centralised in Norwich, women in west Norfolk and Great Yarmouth would face lengthy journeys to give birth.
How it is being reported
- Hospitals at-risk A&Es handed reprieve (but maternity units still face the axe)A&E departments at King’s Lynn’s QEH and Gorleston’s James Paget hospital look set to stay, but both could lose their maternity units under new NHS plans.Eastern Daily Press · 2 Nov, 14:45
- Hospitals at-risk A&Es handed reprieve (but maternity units still face the axe)A&E departments at King’s Lynn’s QEH and Gorleston’s James Paget hospital look set to stay, but both could lose their maternity units under new NHS plans.Norwich Evening News · 2 Nov, 14:45
In this story: Queen Elizabeth Hospital · James Paget University Hospital · Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital · Norfolk and Waveney University Hospitals Group · King's Lynn · Gorleston · Norwich
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