The ability of London’s casualty departments to cope with growing winter demand is to be investigated by the London Assembly.
Last year more then 3.6 million people used an Accident and Emergency department, 10 per cent more than two years ago.
At a public meeting to be held later this week, Assembly Members will be asking NHS professionals why the capital’s A&E departments are getting busier and exploring their ability to cope with the annual winter increase in demand.
The Assembly’s Health Committee will also question experts about the impact of a recent £55.4 million Government grant to London trusts.
They’ll also ask what the Mayor and new urgent care boards can do to help, and how services can be maintained once the extra Government money is gone.
Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee, said: “Our A&E departments are busier than ever and as we approach winter, the stark warnings we have heard about the pressures they will face give us real cause for concern.
“What is being done to prepare for this challenging time and how will extra Government funds be used to help hospitals cope? We want to be sure that the NHS is prepared as well as it can be, so Londoners in need of medical care can get it when they most urgently need it.”
The meeting will take place on Thursday 26 September from 10am in The Chamber at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA).
