Health faces States challenge over A&E

HEALTH and Social Services minister Mark Dorey, pictured, will face a challenge in the States about two independent reports that highlighted potential risks to Accident and Emergency patient safety.

A former Health and Social Services board member has now issued formal questions to Deputy Dorey asking for more detail about the critical reports.

Deputy Mike Hadley has asked what the cost of the 2011 College of Emergency Medicine report – which found that patient safety was at risk – actually was.

He also wanted to know if the department would implement the recommendations in full, when changes would be made and what the full cost of operating the Accident and Emergency Department was, including the cost of HSSD's contract with the Primary Care Company Ltd, which provides doctors for the emergency department.

It is expected that Deputy Dorey will give a verbal response at this month's States meeting and he will also face supplementary questions.