To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2007, Official Report, columns 1227-8W, on accident and emergency departments, whether the advice on catchment population size applies to West Sussex. (157445)

The Department has not issued guidance stating that accident and emergency departments should cover a given catchment population.

It is a matter for the local national health service to ensure that there is appropriate provision of urgent and emergency services that are responsive to people’s needs.