Proposed reforms of A and E could put lives at risk.

A & E reform could put lives at greater risk - Sunday Telegraph

Extract:

"Patients' lives will be put at risk by a major shake-up of accident and emergency departments, a secret report by senior doctors has warned.

The professional bodies representing A & E doctors say the new system - which could see casualty departments operating without back-up services such as intensive care, paediatrics and surgery - is too dangerous.

Desperately sick children taken to casualty by anxious parents could fall victim to the system's reliance on a "drive-by" ambulance policy, under which 999 crews are instructed to take callers to the "right" hospital, not necessarily the nearest."