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Seriously ill patients will be put at tremendous risk according to a new study conducted due to the closure of local A&E units. The findings of the study were published in the Emergency Medicine Journal and has resulted in a call for a rethink over the policy of closing local A & Es. West Herts NHS Hospital Trust plans to close A & E at Hemel Hempstead Hospital, with all patients in need of emergency care being taken to Watford General instead. This means patients from surrounding areas, including Abbots Langley, who require emergency treatment for serious conditions, will need to be taken to Watford. However, the minor injuries unit will remain at Hemel Hempstead for those with less serious cases of illness. The trust has been quick to defend the move, saying it is better for patients, especially heart and trauma patients, to be treated at a major A & E unit, rather than be taken to their local hospital and then transferred. However, the new study released found that in some cases it was better for less travel by ambulance. Those with breathing problems or suffering anaphylactic shock were just a couple of examples where ambulance travel would be better kept to a minimum. At the recent Parish Council meeting, some of the councillors in attendance voiced their concerns over the recent plans that have been announced. Leon Lay said: “I have my concerns about Watford being the only facility for emergencies, especially on a Saturday. Having only two hospitals is a real problem.” Sara Bedford revealed statistics about births in Hertfordshire which suggest that local facilities are simply not available. There are 13,500 births in Hertfordshire every year, with over 90% of those taking place in consultation units. The ideal number should see 60% being born within community facilities. On a good day, it takes 20 minutes to drive to Watford General, in some emergency cases, this may be too long. One councillor simply stated that ’there is a lack of infrastructure in the area’. The study examined 10,000 cases in four ambulance services between 1997 and 2001. Researchers said it was time to debate the merits of big regional units after finding the risk of death went up with each mile travelled for urgent care
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